View of a crowd in front of the California State Building on the opening day of the California Pacific International Exposition. Governor Merriam, who gave the dedication, is in the background standing behind a policeman on the right.
A similar photograph taken on the same occasion appears with the headline, "War Activities Increase With Reported Invasion of Ethiopia by Italy," Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct 1935: 18.
Four men are seated in a car. From left to right: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gov. Frank Merriam, Mayor Percy Benbough, Admiral William T. Tarrant.
Juan Larrinaga (Juan Baptista Manuel Larrinaga) was born on San Antonia, Baja, Mexico. He graduated from St. Vincents College in Los Angeles in 1900, worked as an artist-designer in the movie industry, and was an art director for several expositions around the country.
Governor Frank Merriam stands at a podium and introduces President Franklin D. Roosevelt before his address in Balboa Stadium. The platform the Governor stands upon is lined by a railing decorated with patriotic bunting and a flag. The flag hangs in front of the lectern. Behind the lectern, Governor Merriam stands at center and looks up. Behind him at left, a few military officers are seated. Seated behind Governor Merriam at right, are, from left to right, President Franklin Roosevelt, Mayor Percy Benbough and Eleanor Roosevelt. American flags and patriotic bunting surround the platform and decorate the stadium's colonnade, which stretches across the background.
Dignitaries attend the opening of the California Pacific International Exposition include, from left, William Phillips, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Daniel Roper, Exhibition President Frank Belcher, California Gov. Frank Merriam, and Brig.-Gen Seth Howard of the California National Guard.