Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1916 — PAGEANT-DRAMA OF HOOSIER HISTORY [ARTICLE]

PAGEANT-DRAMA OF HOOSIER HISTORY

Wonderful Statehood Spectacla to Be Given by 3,000 . People. A great centennial pageant to be staged at Riverside, one of the finest of the Hoosier capital's chain of parks, in which 3,000 men, women and children will he cast in a dramatic picture showing the progress and development of Indiana for one hundred .years, will be one of the outstanding features of the centenary jubilee at Indianapolis Oct. 2-15. The pageant, which is to tell a thrilling story of the early sufferings and hardships and later triumphs of the men and women who have made a great state, will be given each afternoon of the first week of the celebration, beginning Oct. 2, at 4 p. m. each day, the spectacle drifting into the early twilight so that the spectators may enjoy some remarkably unique electric effects and illuminated tableaux. The pageant as written by William Chauncey Langdon, New York pageant

dramatist, will not only be educational in its historical character, but Wrill Visualize the future possibilities of the state. There are to be ten episodes and five symlxdic scenes dealing with the state’s development from the first exploration of La Salle, the French trader, down to the present time.

All of these great events are to he depicted on a vast open-air stage by men and women faithfully costumed for the particular period in which they enter. The great Hoosier drama promises to present scene after scene calculated to thrill the blood of every loyal Indianian. Riverside park was selected because it Is easily reached from the city and besides its picturesque situation of-, sered admirable opportunity for outdoor drama. A grandstand will accommodate nearly 10,000 people. From the grandstand the spectator will have a fine sweep of the grassy stage with White river, skirted by woodland and the old canal beyond. In the presentation of this great picture of Hoosier life people from all over the state have responded to the call for pioneer relics to aid in bringing realism into the pageant. The hours for the pageant performances have been arranged so that visitors to the city may attend the spectacle and also other events of the centennial celebration.