Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-09-12

Watermelon Day, Colorado's original
autumn festival, has como apd gone for
1895. It was the first Of what has be-
come noble family Of fall fetes; age has
not dimmed, but added brilliancy to its
gloriee. Thursdays gathering was the
largest ever attracted to Rocky Ford and
the occasion was an unmiIed success from
daylight until sundown. The day was a
perfect one, bright and cool. At very
early hour all roads leading to Rocky
Ford were fairly black with incoming
vehicles and horsemen on route to the
center Of attraction. All agricultural
work for miles around was suspended
that farmer and farm hand might be
prohted by and enjoy q day Of instruct
i've sightseeing and pleasant recreation.
It was notable day in every respect,
without friction or disorder. About ted
o'clock the Santa Fe began to unload
numerous excursion trains. They came
in quick succession, each with from six
to sixteen coaches, packed us only excur-
sion crowds can be, and have good hu-
NOR prevail. -Four long and heavily load
ed trains came from Pueblo. Not only
the masses from Pueblo turned out, but
there was a large attendance OF her most
distinguished mtizens in business, polit-
ical and financial circles. La Junta was
almost depopulated. Las Animas sent
train loud and all the neighboring towns
most Of their population.
1t is estimated that from 1900 to 49,
people participated in the unique tastivi-
ties. The melon pile occupied the CEN
ter OF dense grove just outside OF the
Fair grounds. Arranged in IN immense
rick were 1900 watermelons and 10000
cantaloupee, the latter forming russet
fringe around the edges Of the pyramid
OF luscious greenness.
Surrounding this tempting display was
a board table 600 fcet in length, on which
the melons were served as fast as score
big butcher knives, could cut them in
tempting quarters.
II the first melon cut for a visitor was
not up to the Rocky Ford standard of
npeness and general excellence, it was
hastily chucked under the table and a
perfect one selected. =
Picnic parties were given all they need
ed to complete their feasts. The sight Of
1000 people digging the cores out OF
Matermelons tY the tune Of ':Marching
Through Georgia. by three brass bands
AlaS not DoeA uuPAcateu eitneI III GuIope
or America.
After the appetites of the people had
been satisfied on the first round, there
renamed several Thousand melons.
just before the trains left the freedom
Of the pile was given to the people, and a
final onslaught made on the surviving
watery beauties. The encircling table
being slippery with crimson juice, was q
formidable barrier against the assaulting
party, but the hazards OF soiled clothing
and broken limbs was taken with alacri-
morning dew before an August sun. A
few extremely thoughtful and shifty in
dividuals provided themselves with ca
Pacious gunny sacks and staggered to
the train with a weeks supply.
The Fair.
The first day Of the Fourth Annual
Fair OF the Arkansas Valley Fair Asso-
citation was remarkably successful The
weather was all that the most critical
could ask, which, together with the at
tractive program provided, drew together
. crowd unprecedented for the opening
day. The association has this year spent
large sums in providing additional ac-
thing in bandbox condition. The agri-
cultural and horticultural exhibits drew
exclamations OF wonder from the many
tenderfoot sight-seers. AL departments
were we'll filled aud made an impressive
showing Of the products of the valley.
The most novel event Of the afternoon
OF the first day was a running race with
lady riders. Misses Carrie aud Leta
Waterman of Rocky Ford and Miss Cenp
Kiug Of Fowler made lively contest FOL
the purss OF $40 offered. All three wore
bloomers and rode astride. The horses
ridden were among the fastest in south.
ern Colorado and the race was decidedly
sensational The most experienced COW
boy on the range could find his equal in
horsemanship in either Of the three fair
contestants in this race. The first money
was awarded to Carrie Waterman, CIR
of eleven, who received many compli
nents for her fearless and graceful rid
ing.
The alfalfa palace was much larger
than ever before and was filed with ths
products of the field and garden.
! The tables were built Of baled hay, as