Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-10-08
THE DANRURY FAIR.

Large Attendance Side shows-The
TrOtting-The Fair to be Held on
SaturdaY-HOW to Go to the Fair.
The attendance at the Danbury fair yes
terday was variously estimated at from 90
600 upwards and was supposed to be the
largest record. Stages and passenger
wagons of all descriptions carried loads of
passengers to the fair grounds. Some of
| these vehicles were drawn by four horses.
| others by two and some had only one, and
/ the number of them was beyond estimation.
The people who visit the fair in vehicles en-
ter the fair grounds by the entrance gate at
! the highway, while the persons who go to
| the fair by railroads enter the fair grounds
at the railroad gate, which is on the New
York and New England railroad, which ran
excursion trains to the fair from New York
State on the west and from Connecticut
towns east. The Housatonic railroad ran ex-
cursion trains yesterday which contained a
large number of cars all loaded with passen-
gers. There is always one big day at every
Danbury fair, and yesterday was probably
the big day of this season. 1t was stated by
good authority that 1000 people passed into
the fair grounds at the railroad gate within
an hour yesterday.
There was also large number of side shows
fakirs, peddlers and auctioneers present yes
terday, and the shouting of each drew crowds
of listeners. 1t is supposed that these fellows
had good business, as many visitors appear
ed to be supplied with money for such
uses. The tricks that some of these men
performed for the purpose of attracting
a crowd were wonderful. A large percent
age of the visitors at the fair are ladies, and
probably at no other fair is the percentage of
ladies SO great as at the Danbury fair. Many
pretty girls and elegantly dressed ladies at
tend the fair, and dirtations numerous.
The main building, the buildings used for
the dogs and poultry, the tents and the sheds
all contain exhibits that must be seen to be
appreciated.
Two bands of music are in attendance at
the fair. The Weed band of Hartford play
in one of the tents and the Danbury band
furnish music from the band stand in front
of the grand stand.
During the afternoon Egbert Lyon of Bur-
lington, Ct, exhibited a pair of twin steers
that were we'll trained.
Lester and Alden gave two exhibitions on
bicycles.
Professor J. H. Burton performed his
troupe of trained dogs.
All these exhibitions were in front of the
grand stand and were observed by thousands
of people.
Ike Ives, of Danbury, is at the fair daily
with fourth hand team hitched to a
Portable drag in which were seated party of
gentlemen yesterday who were enjoying a
ride with Mr. Ives Three New Haven gen
tlemen were in the party.
The track was in fine condition and the
trotting caused the seats in the grand stand
to be nearly all taken.
The first race was called soon after
o'clock. Seven horses started in the 2:29
class. The full list of entries appeared in
the COURIER of yesterday: Hector, Alpha,
Nutwood, jr., Westchester Girl, Fanny Bor-
oughs, Beulah and Mary Ann started.
Hector and Alpha made close and fast
heat for half mile track in this heat. They
were close together all around to the wire.
Hector won by two lengths in 2:2515.
The second heat was very close at the
finish. Hector led to the wire where Alpha
was only neck behind; time 2:301a.
Hector won the race in the third heat when
Westcnester Girl came to second place at the
finish: time 2:29a