National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-10-18
The Approaching National Fair.

The First Annual Exhibition Of the National
Fair Association will be formally opened at
the beautiful Fair grounds at Ivy City at noon
on tho 2sth day of the present month. What
ever doubt attended the conception of the en-.
terpriso has now cleared away. and its success
is assured. As modestly stated by the mana
gers in their address to the public, the interest
and patronage already guaranteed give as
Iurance that the Fair to be held this year will
not be the least of the many attractions that
make "our beautiful Capitol City our country s
PRIDE" The citizens aud business men Of the
District have responded literally to all calls
made upon them. The stock has been entire.
ly paid up, the land has been purchased
and paid for with cash, aud the Fair
grounds - the largest in the country - are
are now in almost complete order. The largo
exhibition building stables, grand stand and
other structures in tho grounds have rise n
like Aladdin's palace, through the energy and
uDtiring industry of the gentlemen upon
whom the labor of establishing the Fair has
devolved. The intention ofCongress in grant
ing this charter to inaugurate and perma-
nently establish an enterprise which would
stimulate agricultural and mechanical pur.
suits, and add to the progress and pros.
perity of the people of the whole country
will be fully carried out, and the
most sanguine hopes of those who originated
the project will be more than realized. The
grounds,which comprise 125 acres made up by
the purchase of the Vinewood and Ivy City
farms, are situated about one mile from the
city, on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio rail-
road. The location is not only one of the
most beautiful, but also the best adapted for
thn, l..
track, said to be the finest in the country, is a
mile stretch.
The principal buildings are q grand stand,
which, it is estimated, will scat $500 people,
three fine brick buildings on the knoll at the
right of the track, atlording ample room for
the display exhibits, including the art display,
which cannot be shown in tho open air, and
the clubhouse on the eminence overlooking
the grounds. Everything has been arranged
according to the most approved plans for the
convenience of exhibitors and visitors. Ample
stablc-rOOm has been provided for four hundred
horses. The approaches to the grounds have
been improved. The detailed programme, of
the Fair is now in course of preparation.
The running races will begin on the open.
ing day and continue three days The trot-
ting races will begin November and be con-
tinucd four days. Both the running and trot-
ting races will be events of great magnitude
IN the annals OF racing, as many of the fastest
aud most celebrated horses of the country have
been entered. The managers of railroads lead
ins to Washington, approaching the import
hnce of the occasion, have offered reduced rates
10 this city during the Fair {.
The Fair is in charge of our best citizens
The marvellous progress of the work is due to
their energy and devotion to the cause. Fol.
lowing is list Of the active officers of the as.
sOciation: President, William NJ. Gait vice
president, William J. Twining; board of di.
rcctors, W. NJ. Gait, w. ]. Twining, II. II.
Blackburn, William II. Clagett and William Il.
Reed; treasurer, Horatio Browning secretary,
Edward C.. Dean; corresponding secretary,
II. Ii. Blackburn; chief marshal, Frank
Hume.
Premiums have been offered in every depart.
ment Of industry, art and mechanical skill
The large number of applications for space
indicate that there will be great competition
in every department, and the judges will have
no easy task in awarding the honors. Over
$4,000 is offered in premiums.