by Laurel | September 17th, 2009
September 17, 1910, page 12
Big Crowd Expected to Gather to Watch Aviator This Afternoon.
Charles F. Willard, the aviator, who will exhibit the Curtiss biplane this afternoon at Highland park under the auspices of the Young men’s Christian association arrived in the city yesterday noon with his machine and the machine was taken to the field and assembled by his assistants during the afternoon. The grand stand, which will seat about 2000 people was completed yesterday morning and has been inspected by Inspector J. R. Howes and pronounced safe. The arrangements for policing the field have been completed and the fire department will see that there is no danger from the fire on the field or in the grand stand. Nearly every arrangement for the day has been completed and now the only thing necessary for the success of the undertaking is fair weather, and unless the weather man is a liar this is to be on hand.
The city and Brightside bands will furnish the music for the occasion, a special car bringing the Brightside band from the institution. The city band will fgive a street parade and will march to the field. Ticket booths have been arranged and a number of assistants have been appointed to care for the crowds which will pre present. The exhibition is set for 3:30 this afternoon and special cars will be run to the grounds for the accommodation of the public. The regular lines to Northampton and the Highlands can also be used as the walk from Lincoln street is not a long one. Those attending will be able to get an excellent view of the starting, stopping and flights of the machine, the rising ground at one side of the field giving everyone a chance to see the handling of the machine.
The committee held a meeting at the association building last evening and completed the final arrangements for the day. Special cars will run to the grounds from Elmwood, South Hadley and South Hadley Falls at 1:30, 2:00 and 2:30. The ticket booths and the sale of tickets on the field will be in charge of F. F. Partridge, treasurer of the committee. The gate manager will be Arthur Taylor, and Arthur Ryan will have charge of the box and reserved seat entrance. R. D. Vianell will have charge of the box seating and J. H. Ely of the grand stand. E. J. Menard will have charge of the parking of the automobiles of the holders of box tickets, and Joseph Magna will place the automobiles holding passengers. A number of ushers have been appointed, and there will be a number of assistants on hand.
From The Springfield Republican.
