Middletown transcript., 1881-09-23
Tbe Fair.

The eighth annual fair of the Peninsular
A. and P. Association is over and has been
almost universally pronounced a great
success. The number and quality Of the
exhibits and the attendance was all that
the management could have hoped for.
The weather was fine, though the fair
might have been little more enjoyable
had the temperature been a shade cooler.
The stock department was we'll filled and
with exhibits that gained the praise of all
ment, though better filled than last year,
was not so well filled as at some former
exhibitions Of this association, but the sea-
son alone is to blame for this. The exhib-
its, however, were very fine specimens.
The poultry department was also we'll
filed and the exhibits such as any poultry
show in the country would be proud to
display. AS usual, the ladies' building
was the grand centre of attraction. In
this the exhibits in number exceeded that
Of last year nearly six hundred and in the
fancy goods department were exceedingly
beautiful and praiseworthy. The ladies
have gained many premiums and they
certainly deserve them for the success of
the exhibition is largely due to their efforts.
Their building was crowded during the
greater part part tef every tlaE Of the fair and
much praise of the handsome display was
expressed by visitors. Mr.. J. M. Cox, the
superintendent in thisdepartment,w worked
assiduously to please those who exhibited,
and with his corps of lady assistants made
an admirable and effective arrangement
throughout the department. With more
ing would have appeared to much better
advantage. Want of room is a disadvan-
tage the Peninsular Association has al
ways labOred under, and in consequence
Of this, many exhibits unsuited to this de
partment are crowded into the ladies'
building, producinga bad and incongruos
effect. We hope this will be remedied
before the next fair is held. The trials o
speed, which are fully reported in another
column, were as hotly contested as any
that have ever taken place on the PENN
sula, and those who enjoy good trottinl
were certainly well pleased. There wa.
a marked absence of triekery and jockey
/ ing and fixed-up races that SO often dis
however, that the races of Thursday coulC
not have all been concluded on that day
as many who were unable to return OF
Friday, doubtless went away disappointed
This was no faHlt of the judges, as tn
trials were begun an halfhour earlier thar
usual, and the horses were called out a
promptly as possible. The close trottinp
causing numerous " split heats" !" and tn
bad scoring in the three minute and "a
classes consumed the time. The musi
was furnished by the Diamond State Coz
net Band, OF Middletown, and was yer
satisfactory, though some in the gran
stand complained, and very justly, tot
that the music stand was too far away fror
them. The only proper place for a mus
, stand on fair ground is over the judge
stand, and Il seems to be either in tll
road or out Of place elsewhere. Good o
der Is always noticeable feature at OF
Fair. Those who come from d distans
always speak of this matter, and praise tl
manner in which the exhibition Is cor
Quoted. There IS no trouble with picl
pockets, either, who 20 often swarm AZ sin
liar exhibitions and relieve the unwsr
! Of their pocketbools We have not hear
I of zsngle case of disorderIy conduct Q
the ground during the Fair.