CALIFORNIA. 



PLAN OP THE MIDWINTER PAIR. 



came the concessional features, represented by 

 Oriental merchants in costume and donkeys and 

 camels from Cairo. The grounds were reached 

 early in the afternoon, and the crowds were gath- 

 ered on the Recreation Ground, where a grand 

 stand had been erected. Here the military were 

 dismissed and the exercises proper began. These 

 included the national anthem by the bands, an 

 introductory address by James D. Phelan. the 

 president of the day, a prayer by Bishop William 

 F. Nichols, a welcome by Governor Markham. 

 and an address by M. H. de Young, the director- 

 general. As the latter closed his remarks, Mrs. 

 de Young advanced, and exactly at 2.15 p. M. 

 pressed the electric button that started the ma- 

 chinery, and the Midwinter Exposition in the 

 " Palm City " was opened. An informal luncheon 

 followed, and in the evening fireworks were dis- 

 played, and thus the fair was inaugurated. It 

 was estimated that over 85,000 people were on 

 the grounds, and the record showed 72,248 paid 

 admissions. 



Festivals. In order to develop special inter- 

 est in the fair, the executive committee arranged 

 that days be assigned to each section, State, and 

 county that exhibited. Societies and fraternities 

 had days, and so the Grand Army of the Repub- 

 lic had its day as well as the California Pioneers. 

 The butchers, the firemen, the letter carriers, 

 the dentists, and others had days set apart for 



them. Flower and music festivals were held, 

 Washington's Birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and 

 May Day were appropriately observed. Athletic 

 contests and tournaments were held. Special at- 

 tractions, such a* fireworks, and music by Souza's 

 band, were provided. Conspicuous among the 

 entertainments was that of the Carnival. Ad- 

 vantage was taken of the occurrence of this well- 

 known pageant in New Orleans on Mardi Gras 

 to reproduce it at the Midwinter Fair. On 

 April 17 Rex arrived in the royal barge at the 

 foot of Market Street, whence he was escorted 

 to the fair grounds. There he was received by 

 Mayor Ellert, who presented three golden keys 

 to his Majesty. On the following evening (April 

 18) the New Orleans pageant was reproduced. A 

 procession of 10 large floats, with other novelties, 

 moved through the grounds, and then circled 

 around the space set apart for athletic sports. 

 As each float and feature passed a large frame 

 that had been erected for the purpose the search 

 light at the top of the electric tower was turned 

 upon it. thus bringing out all the artistic beau- 

 ties of the display. A carnival ball was held on 

 the 19th, in which the representatives of foreign 

 concessions and exhibits took part, and with 

 which the pageant ended. 



Exhibits. It is not possible in this place to 

 enter into a detailed description of the exhibits. 

 Of the fifty-three counties contained in California 



