100 Years Ago: Alton Automobile Club Hosts Balloon Blowing Contest at Mineral Springs Hotel

On February 13, 1926, an article in the Alton Evening Telegraph announced “a novel balloon blowing contest” to be held during the Alton Automobile Association banquet. The Association held the banquet at Mineral Springs Hotel. Prizes were offered for the blowing of the largest balloon without breaking. The grand prize was a three-month scholarship in Brown’s Business College offered by W.G. Swope, chairman of the Association’s membership committee. There were eight other prizes, four for men, four for women. The men’s prizes were “First, smoking set; second, silk necktie; third, auto cap; fourth, pair of silk hose.” The women’s prizes were “First, six Japanese cups and saucers; second, luncheon set; third, lady’s gold compact; fourth, $2 bottle of perfumery.”

A February 17 article announced the winners “for the longest blowup without a real ‘blowup’.” For the men: J. Kinzel, O.W. Wait, H.C. Wilhite, Phil Comerlad. For the ladies: Mrs. Harry Boals, Mrs. Harry Ringering of East Alton, Mrs. G.K. Worden, Mrs. O.W. Wait. No mention of the winner of the grand prize, though, since both Mr. and Mrs. O.W. Wait won in their divisions, it feels like they should have gotten a bonus prize!

A turkey dinner, speeches, and dancing to George Miller’s orchestra rounded out the evening. The committee chairmen (roads committee, service committee, signs, grievance committee, and membership committee) spoke, and then Mrs. George K. Worden, “in a prettily worded speech told of the freedom of the auto, of its being a declaration of independence and a passport to transportation, and she told of the trip of their family to California and of the tourists camps and the courtesies shown and the joy of the open road, leading whither you may wish to go.”

There was also a caricature artist.

(A note for researchers: the Alton Automobile Association was frequently referred to as the Alton Automobile Club, and using that phrase will turn up many more newspaper articles.)

Sources

“Annual Dinner of Alton Auto Club a Success.” Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, IL), February 17, 1926.

“Balloon-Blowing for Auto Club Banquet.” Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, IL), February 13, 1926.

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