Back in January, I bid on and won this rare postcard that shows the line up of the Monroe Fair’s Flower Parade. Using the microfilm of the News Star, I can tell you this was held at the Forsythe Park Racetrack on October 26, 1910 at 1 pm. The October 27th issue had a detailed article about the parade, describing the entries and who were riding in the buggies. The vehicles were covered in flowers such as chrysanthemums and roses, in a wide variety of colors. I did a bit of research as to what angle this might have been taken. I think the grandstand is either behind or to the right of the photographer. The October 27th article said the crowd was too big to fit in the stands! The grandstand was torn down in late 1935 to make way for the new natatorium. To get a rough idea of the view, go stand in the back parking lot of the natatorium with your back to the old swimming pool and look toward the electric plant. That will show you where the old racetrack and ballpark was. Some of the most famous ball players of their day played on these grounds. Such an interesting little photo!
Here is that October 27th article:
The Flower Parade
Yesterday was flower day at the Fair grounds and the parade was the most beautiful feature of the week. The throng was immense, visitors from a distance being conspicuous for their number, and during the parade the grand stand was nowhere sufficient to accommodate the crowd.
Promptly at 1 o’clock the entries were lined up ready for the start, and with the band and the calliope doing their level best to drown one another, the order was given to “move on.” Little Miss Leola Blackman, the petite daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Blackman, was the advance guard. Dressed in a Little Lord Faunt Le Roy costume of pink and white satin, mounted upon a gray charger, upon a bed of pink roses, she was a beautiful little courier, as she doffed her chapeau and scattered to the throng kisses and smiles with a graceful wave of the hand.
The first division was the small traps, and so beautiful were they – one and all – that each should have been a prize winner.
In this division the first prize was awarded to the trap of Mrs. B.K. Fluker which was decorated with exquisite taste and finish, in pink chrysanthemums and occupied by George and Lady Washington – Master Charles Fluker and little Miss Laura Louise Fluker – in handsome colonial costumes of white satin in the chosen tints and underneath the flowered canopy they were indeed a most beautiful picture. The second prize was awarded to the Union Bank and Trust Company. This trap was rich and dark crimson roses, the design being a bonnet, the trimmings being ribbons of green and seated neath this odd and artistic sun-shade was Miss Marie Apgar, a pretty brunette, costumed in crimson and as she gracefully handled the lines over the double team, she called forth the admiration of the vast crowd. Third prize went to Mrs. Lem Smith. For cuteness, daintiness and diminutiveness this could not and was not surpassed. This was a child express wagon which had been converted into a full blown rose, upon a leafy bed of green, out of which peeped the head of Master Nelson Smith.
Others following was a trap of morning glories, dainty and beautiful entered by Mrs. Burt Gladden. The market basket of pink chrysanthemums filled with a cluster of little girls, was the entry of Mrs. Graham Surghnor. Mrs. Manning McGinis’ trap in crimson chrysanthemums was one to be admired and was occupied by her children, who carried long stemmed, wand-like chrysanthemums. Mrs. C.T. Dixon’s trap in white chrysanthemums was the next in line and was followed by Miss Camile Parker’s which was pink chrysanthemums and occupied by Miss Parker and Miss Sana Handy in costumes of pink, which closed the first division.
The second division which composed the entries of large traps, was led by the Eagles. This trap was pictured in a luxuriant growth of natural green, among which twined the richest of crimson poppies, upon the canopy, being perched an immense American eagle of gold, that stretched his broad wings over the fair occupant, Miss Marguerite Guerriero. In this division Mrs. Mourfield was awarded first prize and well did she deserve it. The originality of the idea was most beautifully carried out. The design was a huge basked of gold, the interwoven cords forming the basket and handles were of gilded rope. The edges of the basket were outlined with yellow chrysanthemums, among which fluttered butterflies of black and gold. Seated in the basket was Mrs. Mourfield costumed in black and handling the lines over a beautiful span of black horses. Second prize fell to Miss Alice Nelson, a trap of golden chrysanthemums drawn by glossy black horses, tandem and occupied by Miss Nelson and Miss Blanks Harper, costumed in white with chrysanthemum hats and carrying arm bouquets of the same flower. Third prize went to the Elk’s Club, a coach of ye olden times in purple and white chrysanthemums, driven by a coachman of ante bellum days and occupied by Miss Madeline Marx. Special mention should be given to Miss Louise Vagan’s trap, though not a prize winner, was the admiration of the grand stand so beautiful was it in its purity. This was a pure white trap, of chrysanthemums drawn by a snow white horse, driven by Miss Vagan, a beautiful blonde, who held the reins ‘neath a canopy of flowers and ribbons. Others were Mrs. I. Sugar’s entry, pink chrysanthemums and occupied by Miss Bernice Sugar and Miss Beatrice Callman. A beautiful trap was a carriage of gold and white chrysanthemums, occupied by Mesdames Gordon Michie, Verna Watts, Tom Sullivan, Chas. Maroney. Mrs. H.P. Marks had an entry of pink chrysanthemums; Miss Sarah Robinette of yellow chrysanthemums, nestling ‘midst beautiful natural green foliage; Mrs. Manning McGuire rode in a lovely white swan, the trap literally covered with flowers. The Red Men’s trap was singled out for its appropriateness, as was also the Woodmen of the World. The Knights of Pythias was in flowers of white and yellow with Miss Jessie Boyd as occupant. The third division was a line of autos, the first prize being awarded to Mr. Jake Lowe, an airship in lavender and purple with four pretty little girls; Misses Phylis Cummings, Eva Stroud, Roberta Ferguson, Rosalie Kaliski. Second prize was awarded to Mrs. Henry Bernstein, pink chrysanthemums, occupied by Misses Genie Miller, Ida Milling and Willer Foster. Third prize to Mr. Chas. W. Phillips, whose auto was in green and white occupied by Mr. Phillips and Miss Bernice Renwick, over which Master Cupid out of tall palms, kept guard. Miss Edith Hudson’s auto was especially beautiful in crimson poppies that grew from a bed of green. It was occupied by Miss Hudson and Miss Olivette Broadway in costumes of crimson. Miss Lula Bradley came next as the American flag which was most artistically gotten up. The next auto was that of Mr. John G. Sanders in purple morning glories. As a trap entry nothing claimed more attention than the old woman, who lived in a shoe, and had ten children, all her own. Mrs. A.R. Taylor, who used decorations of pink chrysanthemums. Winding up this most beautiful parade, were some friends of the “Lady Managers” from thirteen miles below Sicard. Mrs. Flannigan’s entry was the sunflower and was most unique and attractive. Mr. Flannigan represented “Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater,” and followed with a jersey wagon, mounted with a huge golden pumpkin, both vehicles being drawn by the most stubborn of mules that politely walked up to the judge’s stand like going to a rack for fodder, and waited for a blue ribbon which never came.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 