German Fortbildungsverein: Summer Night’s Festival

     “Various German societies held their annual picnics and excursions yesterday, and as usual turned out in full force.  At the present the so-called summer-night festivals are much in vogue, which commence during the day and are continued mostly during the whole night.  The members of the German Fortbildungs Verein – an organization for educational purposes – and several co-operating societies held a summer-night festival at the Union Park, on Sixty-third street and First avenue, which commenced at three o’clock in the afternoon with the Fest overture and a performance by the glee club of the Fortbildungs Verein.  Several singing societies engaged in musical exercises, whereupon a ball was held.  In the evening the park was illuminated.  The proceeds of the festival are to be appropriated for a fund to purchase a library.”