Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-10-01
The Central Fair.

Monday, September 22d, and closing Fri
day, September Goth. Monday and Tues
day were occupied with the entry of articles
and stock and their arrangement upon
the grounds. The lowering skies and oc-
casional showers during both days gave
premonitions of a wet "spell'' for the fair
and the thoughts of the disastrous effect
consequent upon such condition Of
things did not set well on the minds of
the management Still the entries CONT
nued to be made and by Tuesday evening
there was fine display ready for inspec-
ton. The weather cleared off beautifully
Tuesday night and Wednesday opened
up gloriously; clear, brilliant and bracing,
genuine fair weather." as was remarked
by nearly everybody. Wednesday after
noon the grounds presented an animat-
ed appearance and things generally
showed off to fine advantage, thanks
to the energy of the society. But
Notwithstanding the number of peo-
pie on the grounds could not be called
small, yet the attendance, to be candid,
fell considerably short of the expectations
of the society and was by no means as
large as the exhibit deserved. The favor
| able weather continued Thursday, in fact
it was an improvement over the previous
day, the wind being less harsh, and yet
the number of visitors tailed almost with
Wednesday. Friday the att enhance
dwindled down to mere handful COM
paratively although the society was still
favored with clear Skies So much for
the patronage the Central Fair received
this year. Now as to the exhibition
itself it was good one and especially
SO from the agricultural standpoint The
show of stock was excellent, in sheep and
swine particularly large, with fine speci-
mems. The display Of poultry on the
grounds was of itself worth visit to the
fair. We question if better exhibit of
poultry could be made in the state. In
farm implements and machinery the ex-
hibit although not as large as we have
seen, was composed of many fine articles
and machines ali apparently well adopt
ed to the wants of the farming communi-
ty. There was only a moderate display
Of manufactures such as wagons, carriages
sleighs, &c. The exhibition made in
Floral Hall was very commendable and
visitors spent large portion of their time
in this department quite proftably. To
those of our business men, merchants and
others, who exhibited their goods and ar
ticles making Floral Hall what it was,
the thanks of the society are extended
The department of farm products was
well filled. There was a very creditable
show Of fruit, especially of apples. A
nice line Of dairy products was exhibited
while in grain and vegetables the show
ing was quite commendable to the agri-
culturalists of this vicinity. Taken alto
gether, then, the exhibition was a sue
cess so far as the display was concerned,
but the society was not adequately patro-
nized for it's work and pains. The mana
gers of the fair certainly did all in their
power to make the exhibition draw
and that they were not properly sustained
in their endeavors is no fault of theirs.
1t has got to be generally understood
now that the people do not demand an
exhibition of the features that usually
has been known to characterize fair in
the fullest sense Of the term, namely a
display of farm products, whether in fruit
cereals, vegetables poultry, hogs, sheep,
neat cattle, horses, &C., accompanied by
the usual showing by merchants, manu-
facturers, fancy workers, &c. What the
country seems to want to satisfy its de-
sires is fair that will combine balloon
ascensions, negro minstrels ~, circuses, side
shows, menageries, bearded ladies, giants
|
and giantesses and what-is-its generally.
Nothing short Of a variety performance
will nowadays appease the amusement
morbidness Of the average multitude
| Therefore with other agricultural socie-
ties the Central Wisconsin must turn
over a new leaf before it can expect to
succeed. There must be less cattle stalls
and more show tents. We question the
taste, but the necessity Of the case is I'M
deniable. The races during the fair
were not as good as the society endeavor-
ed to provide for, although there were
some interesting and exciting contests on
the track and good time made. The
! Central Wisconsin Society, profting by
their experience this year, will no doubt
organize "solid'' for next season, and
adopt themselves to the demand and re-
quirements Of the times.
LeRO3trUeU2t'S AcuIeN1Y.