The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-27
WICKFORD'S BIG FAIR.
II Was a Success Of the First
Magnitude.
FAIR MAIDS IN WHITE CHIT0NS.
Narraganseu Engine Company, No. j,
Begins It's Gala siivaI-The Ladies
Who Took Part-Greek from Fillet to
Sandal.

Narragansett Engine Co. No. OF Wick
tending the opening of its fair in Odd
Fellows hall last evening. In their search
for some plan of decoration that should
present the charm of novelty, the commit
tee decided upon design as unique in its
inception as it proved beautiful in reality.
Never before in its history has the staid
old town wstnessed such elaborate decora-
tions at public entertainment.
Entering the hall the visitor might well
imagine himself transported TO some
ancient city Rising in stately proper
tions before him were long rows OF daz-
zling pillars, in and out from which were
fitting maidens attired in classic COS
tunes of Greek design.
In the centre OF the hall stood marble
temple with fluted columns of the Doric
order. On either side were colonnades of
similar style with entablature. while just
to the left of the observer stood a portico
constructed in like manner.
The central design of the temple was
some thirty feet in length and OF proper
tionate width and height. The side col
onnades were considerably longer, while
the portico was about ten feet squage.
The entire work, employing thirty-two
columns, represented tue labors OF the fire
ing The building of a single column in-
volved the work of hours. In its construc-
tion circular pieces of wood seven inches
in diameter were notched To the depth Of
an inch or more. These were then nailed
together at proper distances by laths until
a column about twelve feet long was OBJ
taihed. The capital consisted of a circu
lar. surmounted by square block of
wood. The superstructure was built in
sections which were placed in position
after the columns were set up. The whole
was covered with white paper and coated
with kalsomine. The pillars were twined
with evergreen.
All the foliage decorations were donated
by the Homogansett greenhouses, the
florist in charge, James Brynes himself
arranging the display. Below these on
the edge of the stage appeared the name
of the company Narragansett No. !.
Around the interior of the temple were
placed various sales tables, passage from
side To side being left for the convenience
of the attendants From the portieo in the
rear of the hall were dispensed the cream
and lemonade, while within the colon
nades were placed the cafe tables. The
menu cards were the handiwork OF Miss
Crombe.
The costumes were very graceful and
pleasing, and it must be said extremely
becoming 70 the fair wearers. All wore
Greek coins pendant from the grille,
sleeves and neck. Others in addition to
these, wore modern bracelets and neck
laces of gold beads. The general style of
headdress, where any addition was made
TO the simple coil just above the neck,
consisted OF bands OF gold about the head.
The sandals varied somewhat in general
effect, those OF the general uperntendent,
Miss Crombe, being of gold. In every case
the simple beauty of the white Chiffon was
enhanced by the addition of a Greek bor-
der painted thereon in gold.
The ladies in charge OF the more sub
stantial refresh ments were Mrs William
III. Lewis. Miss Mary Lewis, Miss Maggie
Eapan and Miss Carrie Deakin. At the
fancy tables were Miss Mamie Urell, Miss
Helen Briggs and Miss Alice Baker. Miss
Mamie Mcdonnell and Miss Mary Wight
man presided over the confectioneries,
while Miss Annie CoDgdon and Miss Lou
Briggs were in charge of the flower de-
partment. The cafe tables were in the
care of Mrs Robert Newberry and were
served by Misses Sarah McCombs, Susie
Crombe, Mary Doyle, Maud Northup.
Nellie Baker, Nellie Smith, Annie Cassi-
dy, Susie Early, Annie Peirce aud Fannie
Burke of Providence Miss Mollie Crombe
acted as general superintendent. The
cashiers were Miss Lille Porter and Miss
Carrie Crombe. Except these two all the
above named ladies were in costume. The
stage entertainment of the evening was
furnished entirely by the Brown tnlVer-
sity Mandoinists The young men were
enthusiastically received.
The general committee OF firemen is
made of John Hare, Powell Burdick,
chairman, who is also foreman of the
engine company, together with Messrs.
David A. Briggs, George +. Hunt, Fred
A. Lewis, Walter V. Cozzens, Robert
Newberry, Isaac +. Lewis, Alfred i.
Willis. Charles T.. Baker, Daniel +. Cady.
These were assisted by committee of
ladies, made up AS follows:
Mrs. J. II. ;. Wightman, chairman;
Mrs. George L. Hunt, Mrs. William III,
Sherman, Mrs. John Mckenzie and Mrs.
John CoZZens.
The fair will be continued this evening,
when the leading attraction Is TO be the
appearance of Bowen X. Church of Provi-
dence in cornet solos. The Lafayette
Band have rendered a mplimentary con-
cert for Monday evening, after which "A
social dance with music by Phillips or
chestra will bring the entertainment to n
fitting close.
Foreman Burdick is unable from illness
10 share in the general enjoyment, though
late reports from his bedside are of an en-
couraging nature.