Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-09-05
THE COUNTY FAIR.

published next week, as arranged by the |
Agricultural Society. As there may be
some in the county who do not I'm
derstand how the fair is run, we will
state that some years ago a new Agri-
cultural Society was formed, which had
control of all the general matters of the
fair, that is, the selection of officers, the
making of premium list, the arrang-
ing of the order of exercises, and the
control of business during the first two
days of the fair. The Fair Ground
Co., having fitted up the grounds and
rented the site for term of years, on
their part stipulate to pay the premi-
ums in full, whether the receipts war
rant it or not, and to keep the grounds,
buildings, sheds, stalls, ETC., in good
condition for the annual fairs. This
arrangement has worked satisfactorily,
so far as we know, and the fairs have
been creditable to the locality, though
not what they ought to be, when the
ability of the county is taken into con-.
sideration. General satisfaction has been
given, though an occasional exhibitor
has grumbled on account of the decision
of judges. There may have been mis-
taken awards, but we cannot believe
that either the Agricultural Society or
the Fair Ground Co., has, in any in
stance, undertaken to do anything wrong.
The premiums have always been paid,
and have been as high, even higher,
than those of equal patronage in
other counties. The Fair Ground
Company, having all the bills to pay,
have had the third day-"hoss" day,
from which they have usually made suf-
fcient to cover deficiencies, and leave a
small surplus.
In regard to the profits of the fair for
the last five years, we have been in a
position to learn something about it,
and will state, that very little has been
saved. The premium list, rent of
grounds, repairs and current expenses
have been so large as to use up the re-
ceipts. 1t almost always happens that
one or more of the days of the fair is
rainy, and the receipts are materially
diminished from this source. The man.
ayers have furnished balloons, rope
walkers, speakers of eminence, and 9th.
er things and entertainments, often al
great expense, and have tried to make
the fair acceptable to the general public
We think their efforts have been appre
ciated.
While every town, or at least every
county should hold an annual fair tina
would stand independently on its owl
under-pinning, without the aid of hors'
trots, balloons, creased pigs or other en-
tertainments (?) the time seems not t.
have come when this can be done
Want of interest," petty rivalries. sill.
quarrels and vitiated taste for thing
of different character make it impossl
Bile, as various attempts have shown, t
do this desirable thing. This county
able to make an agricultural fair re
, markable for the character of its exh
bits. With fine horses, with excellen
cattle, both native and thoroughbred
with some of the best sheep in the state
, with all manner of cereal products, goo
as can be produced elsewhere; wit
-. dairy products equal to those of an
locality; with excellent varieties {
vegetables, fruit, etc., and with lars
number of ladies who never fail to max
their department of interest, all that
# wanted to make the fair successful as
If fair, is interest. We have not spoke
e of what has been done, and might
IL done by our manufacturers. towal
: bringing their department up to i
N highest standard of excellence.
IS We again, as we have often heret
t. fore, ask the citizens of the county
if assist in making the county fair a ere
ne liable affair, by bringing in what tn
IN can to make it of interest to all who +;
ce tend. Premiums cannot in the natu
IN of the case amount to much, but t
e. pleasure and the information obtaine
n. ought to be as sufficient reward to {
it erybody who attends a good fair.
The Fair Ground folks are maxi
extensive preparations for this amt
les fair, and we doubt not will do all tt
OF is reasonable on their part; it only
he mains for the citizens of the county
ms respond to their efforts, if useful a
me successful fair is held.
lot
oh GOOD NEWS.