Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-04-27
THE CALIFORNIA FAIR.
Now Developed Beyond It's Pro-
jectors' Expectations.
ssvcnty-Five Buildings Necessary to Con-
tain the Exhibits-Beautiful Location
Foreigners Much Interested and
q Large Attendance Expected.

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far in excess of the original plans.
1t has grown from mere 'bi1ou
to an international exhibit of magnih-
cence and Importance. When the
idea of holding fair on the Pacific
coast first took root in the mind OF Nj.
H. De Young, who was made director
general, il was thought that thirty
buildings would suffice, but as work
progressed the plans expanded, until
now il is seen that at least seventy-tive
buildings will be necessary for the ex-
hibits offered. The idea of holding
this fair, coming SO late and leaving so
little time for the construction OF
buildings and installation of exhibits
was extremely daring, but subsequent
events proved that all the energy in
the world was not confined to Chicago,
and that beyond the Rockies il was
possessed in astonishing abundance.
Indeed, when the gates shall be
thrown open January l, 1894, the
record for quick work will have been
demolished.
Persons living in the east and un-
acquainted with the climate of Cali
fornia should not be misled by the
term ''midwinter" used in the name of
the proposed exposition.
There will be no ice palaces or to-
boggan slides, but, surrounded by the
semi-tropic vegetation of one of the
most beautiful parks in the world, the
exposition will give the inhabitants of
the temperate zone an opportunity 20
thn rio Of N and
northern winter, 70 enjoy the balm
exhaled by the Pacific's warm japanese
current, and at the same time TO feast
their eyes on the earth's choicest pro-
auctions tastefully arranged. The
word ''midwinter," therefore, is a
contradistinctive term intended TO
show that such a great enterprise,
much of it to be appreciated only in
the open air, can be carried on COM
fortably in San Francisco while the
rest of the North American continent
shivers with cold.
The success of the enterprise is as
sured, for it will receive the support OF
the entire population of the liberal and
patriotic Pacific slope, but beyond this
there will be the assistance of thou
sands of visitors from the east. The
regular influx of eastern tourists in the
winter season numbers about sixty
thousand persons, and with the added
attraction of an international EXPOSE
ton these figures should be doubled.
When the turnstiles revolve for the
first time on New Years day just one
million dollars will have been spent.
1t would be strange, indeed, if at the
expiration of the six months in which
the fair will be open every day the
million expended should not be taken
in and enough more TO pay the running
expenses and leave cash surplus. II
the books shall show an even balance
on the last day the managers will be
perfectly satisfied, as they will deem
themselves amply repaid with the
advertising their section will have
received.
These enterprising Californians are
particularly fortunate in this latest
enterprise of theirs. In the first place,
nature is kind to them. 1t is in the
winter that their roses bloom in great
est profusion, that their palms take on
their brightest hue and their golden
fruit ripens. The advantages of such a
climate cannot be enumerated in one
brief article. They offer inducements
from any standpoint that may be con-
sidered, whether for health, rest, pleas
ure. education or work, and taken in
connection with the proposed exhibit
ton, cannot be over-estimated. An
other big factor favoring the pro-
moters of the exposition is that the
Columbian exposition closed just at a
time when they could get the choicest
exhibits for their own show. They
found the best displays, both foreign
and domestic, ready made and the
managers thereof anxious TO coop
crate. This insures pretty and com
pact exposition-more so, perhaps,
than any ever held.
Another thing in favor of the fair is
that there will be no dual government.
All the powers, executive and admins
trative, are centralized in a few men,
who act in harmony and work cheer
fully under one chief. Chicago taught
valuable lesson in that respect.
Every phase of California life will be
portrayed, ana even the reptlllan lie
of the deserts will be brought out.
The picturesqueness of the fair will be
materially enhanced by its lighting,
and the liberal use of electricity will
form prominent part. Some entirely
new effects never before attempted
will be produced, and much money will
be expended in that direction. The
plan adopted consists of thousands
upon thousands of electric lights of all
colors cleaning as a canopy of fire
over the ground court, with immense
columns, arches, and avenues of light
stretched through the darkness.
Glistening fairy lights will dance in
the branches of the trees, and Straw.
berry hill will be literally covered
with tiny flames.
This is only faint outline of what
the California midwinter fair is to be-
The management has the confidence
of the exhibitors, and the system of
awards has been approved by all
Foreign exhibitors, particularly, are
pleased SO much that they have sent