The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-26
BEST EVER HELD
WOOnSOcket Fair Better
Than Ever Before.
Opened With Fine Weather
and Large Attendance.
Ex-GOv. Thayer OF Nebraska Makes
an Interesting Address.

The 3lst annual Woonsocket Fair now
being held at the Agricultural Park,
Woonsocket, is by far the best ever held
there. Never in the long and useful
years OF the Woonsocket Agricultural So.
ciety's existence has there been so fine q
display of cattle, such good racing
horses, fine poultry and fruits, healthy
and fat swine and sound vegeta bles as
Colonel l. B Pease OF the fair committee
grounds this year.
The fair opened yesterday with de-
lightful weather, and there were more
patrons in attendance for first day than
ever known on an opening day in the
history OF fairs in the northern metropo-
an unrivaled one.
This morning there were fine exhibit
tions II stations, working oxen and
f,mily horses, the merits OF which were
passed upon Dy c0mpetent judges.
On the noon train from Providence
Governor Charles Warren Lippitt and a
distinguished party arrived, and they
were escorted TO the fair grounds by
Camp Charles VI. Gordon, sons of Vet
erans, and the WoonsocKet Cornet Band.
The president of the eociety, Colonel
John W. Ellis, and other representatives
met the Governor and the mem bers of
his party, which included members
OF the General Assembly and other
State officials at the fair grounds.
Colonel Ellis presided at the meeting held
Immediately after the gubernatorial party
reached the grand stand. The principal
speaker was Ex-Governor John w. Thayer
OF Nebraska, who delivered an able and
practical address. Tie attendance was
very large and the speechmsking was fol-
lowed by horseracing.
One OF the most noticea BILE things about
the fair this wear is tho good string OF
horses that has been entered for the races
and the events of yesterday aud today
won warm praise from visitors from other
parts of the State and Massachusetts,.
Tomorrow the track will be open for rae
ing all day and among the fine things
will be the attempt of the noted horse
Billy Frazer to lower the track record.
For this a prize OF 500 has been offered
by the fair committee.
The program for tonight is an Ella borate
one. There Will be a brilliant illumina-
tion in which over 1000 lights Will be
used and they, with the decorations
which arc very ella sborate, will make the
handsome and extensive park where the
fair is held well worthy of a-tri rip-from
this city TO witness. There will
be an elaborate athletic program
under the direction of the st.
Andrew Brotherhood, for which some
well known athletes have entered. There
Will also I've fine stage performance and
every provision has been made by the
fair committee for the comfort of a very
large crowd. The open air concerts given
by the Woonsocket Cornet Band during
the day aud evening are not the least
pleasant feature of the grand carnival
that has been prepared for patrons by
the careful and generous far Director,
Colonel Pease.
Nor must 1t De forgotten that few trips
are more pleasant than that from this
city through the pleasant and verdant
Blackstone Valley. Then, too, the north
ern city is a beautiful spot just now,
and the trip on the pretty electric cars
through the city to the fair grounds and
return, during which one goes over some
OF the highest land in the State, will well
repay any lover of Rhode Island scenery.
The fair will continue all day tomor-
row and viii close late tomorrow night.
and visit to 1t is jhst the right thing
for a vacation trip. There will be extra
attractions tomorrow night.