Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-01-03
FAIR IN TIL STREETS
A NOVEL BUSINESS BOOM IN AN IN
DIANA TOWN.
Great Thronss Attracted to "A Free Exhi-
bitton on the Principal Thcrouehfare.
Goods and Live Stock Displayed Balloon

Goods and Live stock Displayed Balloon
Ascension>, Horse Racing and Music,
An unique and interesting experiment
in town booming was the recent street
fair held in Peru, Ind, and described
i'll the Chicago Herald The street fair
as conducted i'll Peru was similar to the
old fashioned county fairs, except that
instead of being held at the fair grounds
itwas held in the business streets of the
town, right i'll front of the business
houses. Everything WAS made free.
There We're no charges for privileges,
and it was great free entertainments
1t attracted great crowds, and the streets
We're tlronsed day and night while the
fair was i'll progress
There is nothing i'll the world that at
tracts the masses like a free entertain-
sment of any kind When Il vast crowd
people assemble i'll town for the
purpose of enjoying themselves and find
everything perfectly free, no hack fare
to distant grounds, no entrance fee ev-
cry time the gates are passed, 10 seats
& to be purchased i'll the grand stand and
|. absolutely 10 expense to incu1 without
1T tieing so desired, the merchants of the
town, who have worked together in pro-
5 noting the attraction and before whose
Sdo'ns the fair is given, insuring the con-
i staut presence of the throngs, must nee
essarily profit.
The merchants become the county
fair association, which. under the old
!, way, was always sure to keep to them
selves and guard closely anything that
would accrue from their exhibitions,
and for the little they eNpend in prepa-
,stfation they receive i'll return the money
4 that would have goneto the association.
Whatever the visiting crowds save III
4 lessened expenses they are sure to dis
= pose of i'll other ways more to their
& liking, and the merchant vino offers the
best Of the many possible Inducements
is the one who profits most by the new
kind of fair In this way the interest of
every business man is enlisted, and from
the first intimation of such a project
every one of them is willing and amy
ious to assist i'll any way possible, know
ing that the money or time expended
will be repaid doubly i'll increased pat
J lronage.
But to return to the fair at Peru.
4 Broadway, the principal business Street,
+ is 100 feet broad and over half mile in
length, and every foot of space was in
D use. On every side was some exhibit,
attraction or refreshment stand The
f2most attractive part of the display was
n the exhibits which the merchants made
IN front Of their stores. Each one had u
.sbooth built with solid floors and extend
ling over the cutters and ten feet into the
gBtreet, and each booth was filled With
the finest specimens of the goodshe car
A ried in stock, which, with the displays
ssmade i'll the show windows, made a
.ssdouble row of attractions on both sides
Sof the street.
The live stock exhibit was displayed
in the center of the street, tents being
! used for that purpose. There were de-
apartments for cattle, poultry, sheep,
iIs5hogs, horses and other stock. Cash prizes
ifswere offered OH everything imaginable.
1ssand no entry fee was required, thus Sc
Touring good list Of attractions.
The amusement committee also had
Its work to perform and provided a
daily programme of free amuscments
s. There We're balloon ascensions, with de-
ssalecent by parachute; bicycle and horse
fAxaces on Cross street, bareback riding
sud tight rope and trapeze performances.
IN the evening there We're band concerts,
6reworks, etc.
The idea of having street fair in
Peru had not been suggested very long
.lsnntil it was unanimously decided to be-
gin preparations for one Immediately.
,.ss ,lssA mass meeting was held, and the prof
B sect was given a thorough discussion.
lAf Ihe mayor was elected president, and q
r. le.ssfnll line of other officers was also ap-
81 81 #S60tnted for the association. The date
sj as set, and work then began in ear
ri Printed matter, large and small,
Nj Nj the hundreds of thousands, was or
III n atcd, and when completed was dis
a a buted sud posted up in every oiN and