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Thursday, September 15, 2022

Joy, Mirth Rule at Wrightsville Beach Sea Fete, Sept. 15, 1922

Joy and Mirth Rule Throughout Domain of Sea Fete’s Queen. . . Beach Night Brings Breath of Fun That Transforms Lumina into Elysium

The coronation proclamation of Queen Titinia I, calling upon her subjects to loose throughout her realm the fairies of joy and mirth, became a reality last night when hundreds of persons, young and old, played juvenile games and joined in the feast of laughter and fun that closed the second day of the annual Sea Fete carnival at Wrightsville Beach.

Everybody was happy because it was Beach Welcome Night, and folks from Wilmington and surrounding country were guests of the resort residents, who made all feel at home.

The queen, Miss Emma Williamson, with her retinue, was preceded by Miss Allie Morris Whitfield, who gave a solo dance, “Tales of Hoffman.”

Her majesty ordered a review of Wrightsville’s dignitaries, resulting in Mayor Thomas A. Wright passing before the throne, making graceful obeisance.

As the lights faded into darkness, and a spotlight blazed on the scene, there stood in bold relief the most ancient dignitary of the result, this personage being none other than “Shoo Fly,” the genial negro citizen. He, too, made obeisance to the queen.

Then Queen Titinia proclaimed from her throne that the first order of the evening would be an “old fashioned waltz,” and she invited the men to dance with their wives. A tug-of-war was staged between the old men of the northern extension, captained by J.R. Hanby, and those of the Southern end of the beach, marshalled by Robert H. Northrop. The north end won.

Robert C. Cantwell Jr., winning the endurance elimination, was then acclaimed by the queen as the youngest of the old men present.

Then followed another tug of war, between the young men of the northern extension, captained by George Kidder, and those of the southern end, headed by Lawrence Sprunt. The north end was again victorious, and by an elimination, determined through a potato race, Joseph Youngblood won by a slide.

Dancing was then resumed, and the queen, blindfolded, was led by Prince James Post among the dancers, and her wand, striking John Carter on the back, won for his partner, Miss Agnes Hayden, a box of candy.

Fred A. Matthews, executive vice-president of the Tide Water Power company, stated last night that he was more than pleased with the success that has thus attended the Sea Fete. To quote him: “A splendid spirit of cooperation, good fellowship and community spirit has been manifested throughout the event.”

He also stated: “this event demonstrates that the beaches do not have to close on Labor day. The September surf is warmer than July, and the weather generally delightful.”

Tonight, a masked ball will be given at Lumina, the queen’s pleasure palace. Four special prizes will be given.

The masked ball tonight will be a feather. No breaking of couples will be permitted while the dancers are masked.

Charles B. Parmele was in charge of the program for a part of the evening, and James F. Post for the remainder, and every feature was presented perfectly.

From the front page of The Wilmington Star, Friday, Sept. 15, 1922

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