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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 1966)
Canoe Fete 54 Year Tradition at U of O Brilliantly colored floats will mark another program in a 54 year old tradition as students, par ents, and visitors to the Univer sity travel "Through the Looking (Hass" during the annual Junior Weekend L'anoe Fete May (I, at the University. One of the richest University traditions, the Canoe Fete along the Millrace is the only collegiate water float parade of its kind in the United States. The idea of the festival was first conceived in 1911, but the first an nuul "Spring Carnival" was can celled because of rain. "Carnival to be Classy,” the first annual In ter-scholastic Aquatic Meet fea turing canoe arid swimming races and diving competition, was pre sented in 1912. An audience of nearly 2,000 watched the parade in 1915, when the name was changed to Canoe Fete and competition between living organisations was devel oped. The early competition was coeducational, but in 1921 sep arate divisions were formed for men and women The use of col ored lighting and spotlights was also introduced, and in 1922 bleachers were first used. The first floats were guided by poles until the river became too deep and swift. Later swimmers maneuvered the floats Today the floats' are built on barrels and pulled from the shore. A low bridge across the race presented another hazard for a period of years with only a five foot clearance. That was removed and last year a float featuring a gigantic Indian towered 40 feet above the water. Bing Crosby endorsed the 1935 fete and contributed a token from Hollywood to the coed who was chairman of the winning float. It was entitled "Down by the Old Mill Stream." Because of flood water and highway relocation, the Canoe Fete was halted from 1941 to 1955 During that time a float parade in downtown Eugene was substituted. The festival was again cancelled in 19(14 due to work being done on the physical plant and the Millrace. It was Queen to Be Chosen Today Voting for the Spring Prom Queen will be held today from 9 a.m. until T> p.m. Polls will be located several places on campus. IM Schedule Softball 3.50 North field, McAllister vs. Douglas South field, Clark vs. Dyment Upper field, Gamma vs. Hawaiians 4:55—North field, Counselors vs. Robbins South field, Chi Phi vs. Campbell Upper field, Delta Chi vs. Pi Kappa Alpha Golf Young vs. Theta Chi Tennis 4:00—Young vs. Indians Swimming Preliminaries for the intramural swimming competition will be held at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in Leighton Pool. Events are the 200 yard medley and freestyle re lays, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard individual medley, butterfly, free style, backstroke and breaststroke, and the 50-yard freestyle. The six best times in each event will qualify for the IM finals on April 27. WHY PAY MORE? Haircuts to your order Just $1.75 2 blocks from campus Fairmont Barber Shop Corner 19th & Agate Next to Del Hoff's , revived again last year when “Of Men and Gods" was presented. While the original idea of the Canoe Fete has been maintained, many ehanges and additions have taken place in its development. | Today three or four living organ | i/.ations work together to con struct each float. A Junior Canoe Fete has been established where [freshmen build miniature floats for display. In 1032, a cost limit was set at $90, but there is no such limit now, and the cost of one float may be as high as $150. During the course of the construction of one Canoe Fete, 180 barrels, 420, 000 napkins, 0,000 square feet of chicken wire, and hundreds of gallons of paint were used. Much emphasis is placed on an imation as competing live organ izations vie for the coveted prize for the best float. Special lighting effects and original background music add to the unique fc:stive events. At dusk fireworks signal the start of the display, which is led by the Queen's float built by the winning organization of the previous year. Moms Weekend Busy Open houses, a tradition lunch eon, and a water parade arc only a few activities that are sched uled for University mothers when they attend the 39th annual Mothers’ Weekend at the Uni versity, May 6, 7, 8 Dads are also invited to at. tend the festive events which are part of the activities of Junior Week The colorful Canoe Fete Friday night on the Millrace will be the first weekend event Student liv ing organizations will compete for prizes with elaborate floats they have built On Saturday, mothers will meet for their annual breakfast business meeting. Later they will attend the campus lunch eon on the old campus when stu dents will be tapped for Univer sity honoraries. In the afternoon there will be a special open house for the new Student Health Service and an informal reception-tea in the Mu seum of Art. Most living organi zations will hold open houses Saturday afternoon and mothers will be their guests for dinner in the evening. Another traditional event, the All Campus Sing, is set for Sat urday night. Mothers will hear performances by participating student living organizations. Win ners of the Canoe Fete, recipi ents of scholastic and activity trophies, and winners ci campus contests will be announced dur ing the program. “The Road Not Campus Briefs Announcement* lor Campus Briefs must be turned in by 3:30 p m. the day before publication. Because of apace limitation* no announcement* will be run more than twice. Phi Chi Theta will mete at 6:30 p.m. today in the Oride* room of Gerlingcr Hall. New member* will be pledged. Campu* chapel will be held *t 9-30 pm. today at Wealey Foundation. 1236 Kincaid. The Rev. Robert King»bury will lead ‘.he wor*hip service. Skull and Dagger membetahip petitions will be accepted through Friday on the third floor of the SU, where petition* are still available. Voting for Junior Weekend Queen will be held from 9 to 5 today. Banana Split SALE 29c Thursday Only DAIRY QUEEN Taken" is the theme of the All - Campus Sinn Sunday is Mothers’ Day. Moth ers are invited to attend church with their sons and daughters and have dinner with them in the afternoon. TODAY rOX-*VEK<JREE« 8 cDONALD 344-4343 ONE WEEK ONLY ENDS TUESDAY One of the beet adventure entertainments of the year —Jack Berry, Oregonian A MOTION PICTURE THAT SOARS INTO GREATNESS! lAMfS SIPWSI -RICHARO ATTttffiOROUGH-PFTER FINCH HAMOGEII-MS1BORGNM unu-mumi C*S!MKUWO-WOWU S£an«j•• .nau ■miiiti tMBia ioo«^»m.-rr| SENIORS Time to place your order for cap and gown for Commencement ORDERS TAKEN AT OFFICE OF CO-OP U OF 0 CO-OP CHAPMAN HALL Tickets for the 8 p.m. program will go on sale at the Student Union main desk April 25. I'rices are $1.50 for adults, $1 for stu dents, and 50 cents for children under 12. WGe t ^closer with a HONDA Go to class in style. The price makes it easy. The performance makes it a ball. And think of the money you’ll save on gas, upkeep and insurance. No wonder Honda is the world’s biggest seller! Free Brochure: Write American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Department C-5, Box 50, Gardena, California © 1966 AHM