The Piano Race
A local civic carnival sparks a high-stakes popularity contest between union members and social clubs to win a $350 piano.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The W. O. W. Carnival Queen Contest is creating much interest and good-natured rivalry among friends of the contestants. Two of the strong orders of the city and the Cooks and Waiters union have candidates. Miss Campbell for the Owls; Miss Moody for the W. O. W.; and Miss Freeman for the union, are off in the race for the piano. The contestant securing the greatest number of votes will receive a $350.00 piano. Candidates for queen and their current standing are: Miss Hazel Campbell, 3,500 votes; Miss Julia Moody, 5,050 votes; and Miss Tillie Freeman, 4,500 votes.
“The W. O. W. Carnival Queen Contest is creating much interest and good-natured rivalry among friends of the contestants.”
This 1909 popularity contest highlights how civic organizations and early labor unions in Everett utilized public events to bolster their visibility and community engagement. Today, similar fundraising structures persist in local pageants and charitable raffles, though the 'piano as a prize' reminds us of an era when home entertainment centered on the parlor rather than the screen.
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