Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-29
The Famous Agricultural Society
Fair Takes Place Next Week.
EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT ASSURED
The Races Promise to Be Exciting
and Closely Contested.
PROGRAM OF EACH DAY
Correspondence OF The Evening Star.

cultural Society, which will commence at
Rockville next Tuesday, September 1, and
close on the following Friday, is attrac ting
more attention than any similar event here
tofoIe held in that county, and it is gen.
orally expected that it will exceed any Of
its predecessors in point OF attractive fea-
lures and attendance All through Mont
gomery and the adjoining counties, as well
as across the river in Virginia and in the
District of Columbia, much pleasant an
tcipation is felt among those who will par
tcIpate as exhibitors or owners of horses
in the various racing events, as we'll as the
many Who will help TO swell the throngs
who will seek amusement and recreation at
the fair. Rockville is close to Washing
ton that the usual crowds which go out
from this city are expected to be largely
augmented this year. as there will be no
counter attractions in progress at the same
time, and the remarkable number OF horses
entered in the trotting, pacing and running
races, wall as the close contests that
are expected in the bicycle events. Will
doubtless draw large throngs. There are
no less than lilo horses entered in the Vari-
Gus races, and the large fields in all the
events will insure an exciting contest In
each.
The visitors will not be iii danger of be-
ing disappointed regarding the arrange
ments for their entertainment, as they
have oeen once or twice IN the past,
rooms and booths have been placed
this year in charge of the Ladies Auxil-
larry, a society composed of the leading
ladies' OF Rockville and vicinity. who have
taken upon themselves the touching duty
of caring for and identifying the Rock
vile cemetery. They are all experienced
providers. and exercise broad hospitality
Individually that cannot help being dis
tinctive in their treatment of the county
guests when they are collectively engaged
III this pleasant duty
Description of the Grounds.
There probably prettier fair
grounds in the country than those at
Rockville. There is an abundance of shade
from lofty oaks and chestnuts on the en-
inences that nearly surround the race
track and give the effect of a natural amphi-
theater of striking proportions. To the left
of the entrance are the stables, which
now crowded with the f1eet-footed nags
which are TO compete in the numerous
races during the coming week. and IN front
of these are the cattle pens, which will
contain scores Of hlsh-bred animals, enter
ed in competition for the prizes. Nearby
Is the new poultry house and at short
distances apart are the other buildings, de-
voted TO the accommodations of the almost
numberless classes of exhibits which will
prove so interesting and entertaining to
visitors. Around to the right of the en-
trance. and several hundred feet from
1t, is the grand stand. commanding a view
of every foot of the race track, and the
eminence upon which it is perched Is also
provided with benches under the trees,
where an excellent sight of the races can
be obtained.
Characteristics of a County Fair.
OF course there will be a picturesque ag-
gregation of the sideshows and catch
penny attractions which give county fairs
their most striking dashes of color. Under
canvas will be doubtless found armless
women who will write cards for asIonished
in hei
strong men lifting great weights: queer
and curious animals, and host of other
wonderful things, while the cane men will
attract motley crowds awkWardly trying to
ring the cane with dollar-bill tied to it's
head 1t will be great place to study
Maryland country life. for every represent
tative of ii will be there. The leisure class,
the professional men, the farmers well-to-
do and the farmers who are otherwise, and
all will bring their wives and their little
ones, and their sisters, and their servants,
ard their hired man, and lots of them will
bring their dogs, too. There will be a Per
feet caravan of wagons, carriages, buggies,
c&rts-vehicles of every description-pack-
ed behind the grand stand and around the
fence, with saddle horses. like sentinels,
the outskirts, and the chances are that
every wagon in a retired spot will have
sunburned youth and rosy-cheeked girl
sitting close together and talking with
their eyes on the shadiest seat in the
conveyance. The throng will present
studies for the artist and the philosopher
the humorist and the serious and it will
be happy and satisfied to a superlative de-
gree
Program of the Fair.
The fair opens Tuesday, when the exhib-
rs Will be arranged, and on Wednesday
the judges In the various classes will pro-
coed TO examine the exhibits and decide
which are entitled to the premiums, of
which there are hundreds, and all of which
are in cash. except special prizes offered
by firms and individuals.
The races Tuesday will commence at 1
pm, with race for roadsters owned In
Montgomery county. owners to drive, best
two in three heats. There are four entries
and all are well matched. A bicycle race
open TO county riders, will follow, the en-
tries for which close today. and will be an
nounced Monday. There will be a race for
county trotters. four years old and under
owned in the county since June l. lS9J for
purse of 500. in which six good ones are
entered The races will close with bicycle
race for District of Columbia riders the
entries for which also close this evening.
"Wednesday VIII be a day of Dig fields and
close races. The sport will open with a
25oc-lass trot for a 500 purse In which
there are no less than twenty entries. Next
VIII come 2-22 class for PAGERS, the purse
being 500. There are six entries. There
Will lie a hurdle race. six furlongs and re-
peat. for $40. with six entries. and an OPEN
to-dll-run. six furlongs and repeat for a
siVo purse, which closed with eleven entries
Thursdays Superior Attractions.
Rockville fair and the attendance is USUALLY
enormous. There were 1900 people present
on the Thursday of the last fair in 1855,
but Eext week much greater crowd is ex-
pected BY ttat time all the permums will
be awarded and the winning exhibits will
be distinguished by cards announcing their
superiority.
The races On that day will be the best Of
the meeting, and will consist of go class
trot for purse of 500. closed with ten
entries, including Nominee, Princess Orloff,
Little Gritty, Little lobe, Billy C. and Bos-
ton; a trot for two-year-olds owned in
Montgomery county since two years old
for purse of S1i5 closed with seven en-
tries; 30 trot, for purse of 500, with
seven entries. and mile dash over hurdles
for 500 purse, in which five good Jumpers
will start.
Before the races. which will commence at
123so. there will be a grand cavalcade
around the track, in which all the prize
winning animals. wagons and portable farm
machinery will appear.
The District Commissioners, Chief of
Police Moore and other prominent District
officials will be the guests of the Agricul-
tural Society Thursday, and preparations
lave been completed to show them what
Maryland hospitality really is.
The closing day. FRIDAY will he day,,ad