The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-15
THE BIG SHOW.
Everything in Readiness for the Great
Fair.

to Make Immense Success-Things Are
Lively at Rigby Now Every Day-The
Famous Midway Will Be Ablaze With
Glory-Matters at the Hall Progressing.
Rigby will be a name to conjure with
next week when the big New England
FAIR takes place. If the Indications are
correct this is going to be the biggest and
most entertaining fair the State of Maine
has ever known.
An insight to the park now will reveal
scene of the liveliest kind of hustling
as hundreds of w0rkmen put the finish
ing touches to the various temporary
structures which are necessary to the
equipment of the big show.
The management have been over
whelmed with applications for locations
in the grounds and midway" The
latter will blossom like the rose by Mon
day night and from that time till the
close of the fair the midway" will be
the centre of attraction. There will ba
every kind of an amusement and exhibit
ton there that can be thought of almost,
from the sleepy long tailed horse to the
fearless oharmer of deadly reptiles from
the banks of the Rio Grande."
Most of the positions In the midway"
have been already assigned. AS you enter
from the gate in the spot occupied by the
poultry exhibit last year will be the ex-
hibltion of Hagenbeck's trained animals,
which created such "a Juror at the World S
Fair. Following up the midway" will
come the European pleasure carnival, a
$35, 600; exhibition of oil paintings;
illusions and views, the famous Nautoh
dancing girls. C'right from the Worlds
fair-the same as made famous by Mrs.
Potter Palmer" the manager will tell
you.) The mammoth oxen, the children's
av orite, Punch and Judy; the Working
World; and variety entertainments, base
ball practice and lunch booths inngmer-
able.
In big tent just at the left and rear
of the grandstand as you enter the park
will be the various kites and flying
machines.
In the club stables, Mr.. j. S. Sanborn
will have his famous stud Of coach
horses, and in this building the offices of
the fair and press headquarters will be
located.
Ample provisions have been made for
the display OF the cattle and stock of all
kinds in the same locations as hereto
fore, and the famous wild animal exhibit
of the Page Woven Wire Fence company
will be found In the cattle section.
Large arrival of stock and exhibits
are coming now on every train and every
thing will be hurrying Monday.
IN CITY HALL.
City hall has begun to put on signs Of
ACTIVITY in behalf of the New England
fair. Yesterday, Superintendent Denni-
son found his time pretty thoroughly &C.
cupied assigning space to intending ex-
h1bitors. And this is only the advance
| guard. Today and tomorrow, and even
during Monday, there will be constant
stream of drays aud carts bringing goods
to the hall.
| Major George E. Brown is decorating
the various halls very prettily. The
| bunting has been festooned from the
centre chandelier to either side of the
hall, forming canopy, and as far as tie
decorators have gone it is evident the
effect will be fine.
| Hooper, Son & Leighton are evidently
going to have stunning exhibition of
fine furniture for. they have shut in one
| side of the hall from the main entrance
| to the great gallery. with white canvas
and religiously guard what they are do
ing from the prying eyes Of reporters.
Another exhibitor is building up fancy
pyramid Of boxes of goods of all colors.
In Reception hall the gentleman in
charge of the fine collection of paintings
is hanging them to the best advantage.
| Mr.. Lamb is arranging his superb collec-
ton of minerals which is one of the most
valuable and extensive in the United
States. The ladies of the China Decora-
tors club are busily at work and some OF
the most elaborate designs ever seen In
Maine will be on exhibition.
| Superintendent Merrill of the Auburn
hatchery. has got his tanks all in place.
spectator to gaze upon the fish and to see
all their motions. The water Will be let
into he tanks either today or Sunday.
Besides all the exhibitors there will be
a large lot of attractions that will please
the visitors, like the kaleidoscope and
many other features of the kind.
l From he Ends nf the
Mr.. Frank Tashero of Japan. MIR.