While numerous cities throughout the Nation yesterday marked the passage of Labor Day with strife or threatened conflict, Asheville thoroughly enjoyed the vacation period as a gala day, filled with pleasure alike for young and old.
Commencing in mid-morning yesterday and lasting until 10 o’clock last night, there was carried out at Aston Park and vicinity a program of recreation and sports designed to attract people of all ages and stations, the program drawing many from out of town.
Staged under the auspices of the Central Labor Union and the Asheville Community Service, the varied events drew considerable interest throughout the day, coming to a close in a well attended street dance on French Broad Avenue, chaperoned in such a manner and conducted with such care that no cause for objection was apparent.
Races of many kinds for boys and girls were provided, with more strenuous contests of an exhibition nature for those caring to participate; fiddling and banjo contests, and checkers, chess and horseshoe pitching for those not attracted by more active events. The spirit of competition was increased by the award of prizes made possible through the generosity of Asheville merchants.
From babes in arms to grandparents, they came in Aston Park throughout the day, many bringing picnic lunches which were enjoyed under the shade trees.
Although the Municipal Band, which completed the Summer season last week, was not assembled at the park during the day, a group of players were on hand last night for the street dance, furnishing lively accompaniment for the rap of feet on the pavement.
Mr. and Mrs. McLean Win Waltz Contest
Several hundred attended the dance although the number of couples dancing was limited to not over 25 at any one time. The early sprinkling of rain undoubtedly kept many away and the later shower dispersed others, but the majority remained throughout the dance until interest centered in the waltz contest won by Mr. and Mrs. Perry McLean, who received appropriate prizes in merchandise contributed by local storekeepers.
Aston Park pool proved a drawing card during the heat of the day. Fully 200 bathers and swimmers enjoyed the pool at a time, lining the sides and shallow end as the various races were staged.
A particular feature was the long under-water swim made by Jack Smith, taking first place in the contest for boys over 16 years of age by swimming 50 yards, or crossing and re-crossing the pool and reaching the center upon the return trip before coming to the surface.
Numerous female swimmers also attracted attention for grace and speed in their contests. Under the direction of T.N. Young the swimming events were staged in an interesting manner. A.J. Hutchins, principal of the Asheville High School and a member of the Community Service Athletic Council, had charge of the track events of the morning which proved interesting to contestants and spectators alike.
W.W. Garren, head of the Central Labor Union and general chairman of the Labor Day program, took a hearty interest in the contestants and in welcoming many friends to the gala day affair.
Mr. Warren had the active assistance of Hugh Gilmore and of “Mel” W. Sheppard, both of Community Service, Incorporated.
In the fiddling contests, O.H. Helton, who made a name for himself at Hazelwood some time ago, again came to the fore as the best wielder of the resin bow at the party yesterday, defeating J.H. Everette of this city in a well contesting playing match.
In track events for girls under 12 years of age, the following are the winners of first and second prizes:
Fifty-yard dash, Marion Gladden, Lottie Mutton; baseball throw, Juanita Holderm Cecil Mayo; thread the needle race, Cecil Mayo, Lottie Mutton; potato race, Pearl English, Edith Corbin.
For girls over 12 years of age, winners of first and second places in events are as follows: 50-yard dash, Marie Dore, Willie Bishop; egg and spoon race, Marie Dore and Blanche Penland; Candle race, Emily Landrey, Willie Bishop; walking race, Isabel Jarrett, Blanche Penland.
Winners in events for boys under 12 years of age in the track contests were: 15-yard dash, Arthur Dunn, William Bird; shoe race, Nick Morris, William Saryee; wheelbarrow race, Sam Mize, Tom Roberts.
Boys over 12 who won first and second were: 100-yard race, Hubert Hayes, Jack Cliff; potato race, Charles Beal; second prize in track events are: James Suggs; sack race, Jack Cliff and Hubert Hayes; three-legged race, Albert May and Waverly Miller.
In water sports for girls under 16 years of age, winners of first and second prizes, 40-yard swim, Edna Ernest, Adelle Moxley; long dive, Adele Moxley, Edna Ernest. For girls over 16 years old: 80-yard swim, Frances Wright, Inez White; long dive or under-water swim, Adele Moxley, Edna Ernest.
Boys under 16 years, 40-yard swim, Frank Finley, Flawe Williams; under-water swim, Harry Myrick, Jack Archer.
Boys over 16 years old: 80-yard swim, Jack W. Harville, Gatewood Booton; under water swim, Jack Smith, Frank Johnson.
Free for all exhibition high diving, Ed Penland, first, and Gene Fitzgerald, second.
The co-operation of Police Boy Scouts and other agencies volunteering to be of assistance, greatly facilitated the program carried out by the Community Service which has been displaying some of the possibilities offered in that type of an organization.
From the front page of the Asheville Citizen, Sept. 5, 1922
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