I was there. I was twelve years old and played in the orchestra that was led by my father. The legend that was circulated that on the second or third day of the 8-day convention, food service was going to be shut down by the heath department due to dust blowing into the large food vats. I believe it was the night of the third day that it poured rain and rained throughout the next day. Of course this was attributed to Jehovah's opening up the floodgates of heaven so that the dust was abated and the convention could go on.
It was extremely hot and unlike Southern California in the summer, quite humid. People were fainting in large numbers. It got to the point where there wasn't enough water to revive those who were passing out so they had to resort to splashing soft drinks on the victims.
After the program had ended, I accompanied my father to the administration trailer as he submitted his department-head report. Just then Knorr walked in after his marathon closing talk and prayer and said to everyone, "So, are you going to fire me?" Everyone thought that was pretty funny.
This was the wrap-up of a worldwide staging of conventions that had been going on for most of 1963, so a huge event in Witness-land. The level of personal effort of all who attended and participated dwarfs any efforts that are expended at conventions today. This contrast serves as but one example of how the organization has deteriorated.