Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-18
Central Maine Fair.

Va ie'ic" seem MOI inappropriate
looking back at the results of the exhibition
The Central Maine Fair of this year grew
out of an IDEAS all material things do
That idea was, that this section of the State
while being the oldest ground of improved
agriculture in Maine, the finest farming sec
ton in the whole State, and contributin,
very largely to the success of State Fairs
East and West, was without adequate adyan
tages in possessing local fairs of its own
which would accommodate the Central Ken
nebec Valley, be a means of further stimu
lating agricultural improvement, and in nc
way interfere with any other organized so
ciety or association. Acting upon this idea
the members of Capital Grange last year in
augurated local fair, combining exhibits to
its own members, which filed Granite Hall
to its utmost capacity, and drew good at
tendance for two days exhibition. The
idea of the members was, that if Fair could
be made a success it was right that the
Grange should have the credit of it; if il
proved failure, they could bear that failure
better than those outside the order. Having
demonstrated their ability to manage sue
cessful fair, the members of the Grange de-
cided early last spring to hold Fair and
Cattle Show this fall, to be open to all.
whether members of the Grange or not.
Meanwhile the organization of Capital Driy-
ing Park was formed one of the best tracks
in Maine built; and Fair Park, second to
none in the State in point of favorable Ioca-
ton to city accommodations and the Maine
Central railroad-the grounds adjoining the
railroad track-was fenced off and provided
with a grand stand, judges stand. and box
horse stalls.
While the members of the Grange did not
relinquish their interest in the fair through
out the summer months, it was not until late
in the season that date fixed for the
exhibition. The officers were especially
anxious not to interfere with the dase ap-
pointed for any other fair in this county or
vicinity; and consequently this brought the
date late in the season. The weather for a
week previous to the fair had been rainy,
unpleasant and very cold. Indeed this bad
weather continued up to the very opening
day, and interfered greatly with the success
of the show in every department. Had good
weather prevailed at the time of the fair, the
results would have been wonderfully differ
ent from what they were. In all the ar
engagements for the first Central Maine Fair,
the officers of the Grange were aided in every
way possible by the Directors and Executive
officers of the Driving Park; Col. Staples
the President, and Judge Andrews, the Sec
Rotary, working very hard to make the Fair
a success, and doing all in their power to
this end.
Considering the unfavorable weather i'm
mediately preceding the fair. the late date
at which it was held, the limited sum
offered for premiums, and the bad weather
at the time of the specially for all
classes of the outdoor exhibits
the success attending it was
all that the managers could have expected
They are encouraged to keep on and repeat
their efforts, it is to be hoped under more
favorable conditions, another season. The
officers of the Grange and of the Driving
Park feel assured that large and successful
fairs may be held in this city each fall, with
no injury to any other locality, that such
fairs are demanded by all the circumstances
by which the central Kennebee valley is
governed, and that they can be SO managed
as to aid agriculture, satisfy our people and
create fund which can be used for the of
fering of larger and more diversified premi-
ums in the future
1t must be remembered also, that those
who naugurated these fairs by the first one
held last fall, and continued them by the
successful one just held, are doing this
wholly in the interests of the advancement
of agriculture and the household arts, and
for no personal gain. The members of the
Grange, who are among the best farmers in
this vicinity, have put in their time freely
working very hard, and receiving not a
single cents compensation. 1t is but fair
therefore that these men and women should
receive public acknowledgment of the
value of their labors IN behalf of the es-
in Central Maine, of high class
agricultural exhibitions. To Columbus Cot
tie. Treasurer; c. +. Fletcher, Secretary ;
J. II. Yeatou, Supt. of Hall, and Geo. H.
Yeaton, ASST Supt. Hail. are the thanks of
all due for their earnest efforts and hard
personal labors without which the fair at
Meonion and Union Halls would not have
been so successfully carried forward. Praise
is also due to the members of the ladies'
committee of arrangements for hard work in
the exhibits in their departments
in an artistic and attractive manner, es-
pecially to Mrs. NJ. NJ. Brown, Mrs. c. NJ.
Glidden, Mrs Charles sylvester, Mrs. W. G.,
Fifield and Mrs. Frank F. Beck SO far as
we know, the efforts of the abeve named
officers were heartily seconded and supported
by all the members of the grange, most of
whom contributed to the fair. At the
grounds ID. b. Savage, Supt., Charles Syl-
vester, Forage Master; Asa ID. Townsend,
Sec, and the members of the various commit
tees. together with the officers of the Driving
Park, worked hard to satisfy exhibitors and
please the patrons of the fair. On the other
hand the members of the Grange feel that
their thanks are due to all the citizens and
ladies of this city and vicinity for the aid
which they rendered by their numerous con-
tributions which added so largely to the in
terest of the fair. They hope for their help
at a larger exhibition next fall, and one more
completely representative of the agricultural
and other material interests of the central
kennebec valley.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
T,,,nortapf Transfers of Real Estate,