National Republican., 1878-10-02
THE ALEXANDRIA FAIa.
Opening Day-Quaker Butter Takes Tn
priken-Soma Washinrtnn Exhibltnrs.

Opening Day-Quaker Butter Takes the
Prisos-some Washington Exhibitors.
Sleepy Alexandria was all life aud hustle
yesterday, the occasion being the opening Of
the fair Of the Alexandria and Fairfax Agri-
cultural and Industrial Association. The
doors were opened at nine o'clock, and the In
flux Of visitors steadily increased from that
hour Until the afternoon, when there was an
immense crowd present. Mayor Kemper and
oil the notablos Of Alexandria and the sur
rounding country, and large party from this
city, were among the sightsocrs. The fair Is
one Of tho finest county fairs ever held In the
State Of Virginia, and In some respects sur.
passes many, II not all.
The main or exhibition building, which Is
250 feet long, 40 feet wide, and Is feet high, Is
inadequate to supply the demands for space.
As It Is, every inch of available room, although
packed, Is arranged In the most perfect and
svstematical order. Fruits, flowers, jewelry,
fancy work, groceries, hardware, machinery,
pianos, organs, agricultural implements, and,
In short, every article Of use Is here exhibited.
The display Of horses Is very fine. The display
Of cattle, although much smaller than looked
for, caused by tho prevailing disease among
cattle, was very crcditable, some very fine stock
being exhibited. Most of the vegetables,
which arc Of rare quality, arc exhibited by the
Potomac Fruit Growers and Woodlawn Asso.
Citations.
c. Gillingham aud Mr.. Snowdcn, members
of the Potomac Fruit Growers Association,
exhibited n large and select amount Of fruit.
The floral display Of Thomas Carroll. also Of
| the Potomac Fruit Growers Association, Is
worthy of mention. Tho butter is of extra
fine quality, and is the only article SO far that
the judges have passed their decision upon and
awarded premiums. Mrs. Rehccca Ballcngcr,
| Of WOodlawn, gets the first pIizc Mrs. Alex.
IIaght, OF Chantila, Fairfax County, the sec.
| ond and MIS-. c. Lukens, of Woodlawn, the
third. A singular fact is that all of the above
ladies are Quakers.
The exhibit Of poultry is also very good.
| The Pckin ducks, of which there are five coops,
are the largest and finest ever seen at any Of
the fairs in the surrounding country. Pigeons
Of all kinds were on exhibition by Mr.. J. ii.
| ID. Smoot, four Of which (carriers) were turned
loose by Mr.. Smith, being thrown In the all
| from every point Of the compass, but invari.
able turned and flew home.
Among the exhibitors from Washington
were c. Reichenbach and Wild d Bro, pianos
and organs J. W. Brown, Singer sewing ma.
chine, with latest improvements; p. Mann
| agricultural implements; j. J. Georges, boots
and shoes W. j. Lown, groceries, and ]. F
| Kelly, machinery.
There was q firemen's parade about three
o'clock, headed by Pistorio's band, Of this city.
Tho men presented fine appearance, being
attired in parade uniform Of black pants and
| gray shirts.
The first sale made at the fair was that o
au egg, on Monday night. The egg was laid
by one of the fowls on exhibition, and wa,
sold at auction by Mr.. W. F. Creighton, super.
intendent, to Mr.. Henry Hcrbner for twenty
| five cents.
The fair grounds are five acres In extent
and are fitted up excellently. Water is pen
tiful aud gas is used 10 light up the buildings
and lamps In the grounds, and every arrange.
ment is made for the convenience of guests.
No games Of chance are allowed on the
grounds, but there Is a shooting gallery and
photograph gallery. There is also steam
printing Office, run by Ramsey, whe prints the
Daily bulletin, which comprises the programme
for the day and all other matter relating to the
fair. These papers arc distributed free O
charge. The fair will last through to-day and
| Thursday. There will be q military parade
to-day but Thursday will be the great day
when there will be an old Virginia tourna
ment, for which there are three prizes offered
of SIS, so, and So respectively.
|