The Italians of Cleveland

THE ITALIANS O F CLEVELAND
in picturesque costumes, the priest in hi robes, the acolytes in their cossacks,
and the populace in holiday attire. Brass bands, floats representing
sacred or historical episodes, and carriages loaded with flowers give
length and added brilliance to the picture.
The proces ion winds its way through the streets of the colony,
and is frequently stopped by worshippers who desire to make votive
offerings at the shrine of the aint. The end of the route finds the procession
back at the church door.
The religious part of the festival over, the colony ?ettles itself to
three days of feasting, athletic exhibitions, port , national dancing anq
other recreations. This is the one season of the year when the best to
be had is not too good for the poorest families .
..(\n extended band concert is held on the evening of the second day,
and invariably at it a hor e or cow is raffled in further honor of the saint,
The colony then assembles itself en masse with it visitors from the
city sometime to the number of 80,000 in a great natural ampitheatre
before Alta House to witness a competitive display of pyrotechnics. A
ca h prize is awarded the firm making the best display. It is customary
for the mayor of the city, the committee of five having all the festivities
in charge, and some other invited notable to act as judges.
This feast affords the spectacle of an entire community disporting
iself in its characteristic way.
Columbus Day and the Carnivals are celebrated in much the same
manner, but without the religious ceremonies. There is an agitation
among some Italian intellectuals against these unique celebrations on
the ground that they savor too much of the old world.
Settlements
Outside the churches there 'are two main institutions at which the
many fraternal, social, athletic and musical societies regularly meet.
Alta House, in the centre of "Little Italy," 12510 Mayfield Road, deals
with this nationality only. It is the best equipped settlement in the
.:ity, havina swimming pool, a large gymnasium, public library, dispensary,
visiting nurse, and club rooms where several Italian bands as well
as the exclusively Italian societies me t. There are few families in its
neighborhood who have not a representative or more in a group meeting
at this centre.
Alta House
32