Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene register-guard. (Eugene, Or.) 1930-1983 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1961)
Gay Activities Marking Rhododendron Festival at Florence GaZa Spectacle to Reach Colorful Climax Sunday A) K--in v inn; 'vn uti Miryyt"ib s.Jx : jfj , , CORONATION Florence Mayor E. A. Davidson crowns Junior Queen Rhododendra, Bette Hueller, before the f&,?5 p-t fcrcij i3ki. ltfaljCL I K !' 1IHMUSU.I I I II ll.l...l.lJU...Iill.II.U.l. CHARACTERS AND FLOATS Representing a man from space won a second prize for Shelley Wilson, left, in the celebration's junior parade. Another prize winner t . . .'-.(. 11 3 r m'mfmmmmm PARADE PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATOR Bobby . Milli, left, in his racer, and Roland and Doyle Swear four princesses who made up the Rhododendron Festi- vars junior court. ' (Register-Guard photos by Grenon and Stauberi) was the float shown at the right, which includes Mike and Kathleen Anderson. ingen, right, in their choo-thoo train were among the many colorful entries that attracted throngs of spectators By JANET Restster.Gui.rd FLORENCE More than 200 gaily clad youngsters de picting imaginative scenes from fairy tales, science fiction sto ries and their individual dreams tromped through Flor ence Saturday in the 54th an nual Rhododendron Festival's junior parade.' The turnout of youngsters and several thousand specta tors despite gloomy, grey skies led members of the Siuslaw Booster Club, the festival's sponsoring organization, to be lieve that the 1961 celebration would indeed be the biggest and best in the history o this coastal community's annual spectacle. Heavy clouds threatened to release a downpour upon the celebration that marks the blooming of the Rhododendrons here, but the deluge never came. And the weather fore cast for Sunday indicated the festival would continue un dampened. Moderate tempera tures and clouds but no rain were forecast. The'Sunday events will begin at noon with a mammoth pa rade down Highway 101. Head ing the parade will be Carmeli ta Beck, who was crowned Queen Rhododendra Saturday night, and her royal court of four princesses, Mary Middle ton, Leilani Gallo, Marcia Mann and Mary Stone. Charles LaGranchise, "Un cle Charlie" of television fame, will be grand marshal for the colorful procession, which will include at least nine bands, numerous marching units and many elaborate floats. Following the parade, spec tators will have their choice of four colorful activities. A gigantic olam chowder feed on Airport Road. More than 300 -gallons of chowder are to be prepared for visitors from 400 pounds of potatoes, 150 pounds of onions, 75 pounds of bacon; 45 gallons of clams, 70 gallons of milk, five pounds of salt and one pound of pep per. A water ski show that will feature a ski kite fly ing demonstration at Cleawox Lake. A firemen's water fight just west of the junior high school grounds. The soggy bat tle actually will be a demon stration drill for up to a half dozen fire departments. A carnival that is operat ing throughout the festival on the junior high school grounds. ' The three days of festivities began Friday afternoon when Florence Mayor E. A. David son crowned Junior Queen Rho dodendra Bette Hueller. The junior queen and her court of four princesses Kathy Peter sen, Dawn Gilbert, Janice Gros enbach and Karen Saubert were honored by the parade that highlighted Saturday's ac tivities. There was more fun and frol ic for the youngsters in Satur day's schedule.. A, variety of games, contests and amuse ments were provided for the tots as soon as the parade end ed. Serious events too were in cluded. Gov. Mark 0. Hatfield dedicated the new $51,250 Lane County branch office building here before he , headed the . youngster's parade. He and his wife took time out from meet ing the public and from review ing the young marchers to present a Boy Scout certificate of merit to Bill Bones, who was credited with rescuing a to line the youngsters' route of march. The pay, imagina tive costumes and floats held the rapt attention of Linda RAG AN correspondent fellow Scout from a burning tent in March, 1960. Members of the festival's royal court performed in a tal ent show before more than 600 spectators Friday night. Satur day night's gala activities in cluded a square dance jamboree and the queen's coronation ball. Grand prize winner in the junior parade was Gordon Elliott,-depicting a giant alarm clock that featured moving 'hands. First-place winners were the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Men, David Atkin, Mar cy Mills and Bob Mills, for a "Woman in the Shoe" float; Roland and Doyle Swearingen, for a choo-choo train float; and 19 first graders from Mrs. June McDonald's class at Sius law Primary School, for their representation of characters from "Peter Pan." Second-place awards went to a "Wizard of Oz" float; a "Treasure Island" float; and an airplane float. Third-place awards went to Scott Read and Dan Boles for a representation of "Ding Dong Bell, Pussy's in the Well"; Jan ice and Dick Graden, Dwight and Darlene Reindl, for "Alad din and His Lamp"; and Mike and Kathy Anderson, for "Pe ter Rabbit in Mr. MacGregor's Garden.". SECTION C WITCH AND MONSTER CROCODILE -Florence area youngsters donned costumes to depict storybook characters for the Rhododendron Festival's junior parade Satur days. Here, Sandy Hedin represents a witch, while Kenneth Elliott depicts a crocodile. ;f m v? w r PRESENTATION Gov. Mark 0. Hatfield presents a Boy Scout certificate of merit to Bill Bones, Florence youth credited with rescuing a fellow Scout from a burn ing tent in March, 1960. ' LANE COUNTY'S HOME NEWSPAPER EUGENE, OREGON, PQFDPR Kczar and her dog, Corky, spectators SUNDAY, MAY 21, 1961 1P1 and several thousand other of all ages.
