Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-09-08
OUR FAMOUS
FALL FESTIVAL
The Fair and Watermel-
on Day an Unusual
Success.

y uCC6SS.
The past Glories OF Rocky Ford's ia
nous festival were completely eclipsed
by the history OF last Thursdays doings.
To the residents OF the Arkansas Valley
Watermelon Day has assumed n holiday
character rivaling Thanksgiving and the
Fourth OF July.
Early in the morning tho crowds began
to pour into town, clouds OF dust arising
from the country roads indicating the
trend of travel. The grand rush to
Rocky Ford Indicated that this portion
OF the State was making the day holi.
day in fact rs well us in name. All roads
led to Rocky Ford and nil faces were
turned in the direction Of the watermelon
pile.
Tho numerous excursion trains arrived
ut various hours during the morning,
each containing from nine to sixteen
coaches. and all crowded to the fullest
holiday packing capacity.
Streets, stores, fair grounds, the melon
grove-everywherc people were to be
found, all intent OH securing the grentest
amount Of enjoyment out OF the unique
festival. On arriving ut the grounds, the
1900 visitors saw 1900 watermelons
piled up IN an immense rick. with liber-
nj fringe OF cantaloupcs around the edges.
Surrounding the tons and cords Of melons
WINS IN Oblong table, within which stood
many stalwnrt men armed with sharp
butcher knives.
LA
balved or qunrtered with great dexterity.
and far into the afternoon the multitudcs
reveled in such watery sweetness rs can
be enjoyed ut only one place in the United
States. So liberal was the supply of
melons that two hours niter the attack
began the symmetry OF the great pile was
scarcely marred. Hundreds OF excnr-
sionists brought lunch baskets. and the
MONDAY meal was taken in the finest
grove in Southern Colorado. All drafts
for melons to complete the luncheon bill
OF fare were promptly honored by tho
guardians OF tho delicious green noun
tain.
When the melon pile Ind worn OF the
edge of the appetite for such n luxury.
thousands sought tho FAIR grounds,
which adjoins the grove in which the
melons were served. a steady throuy of
visitors s,ifgsd through the splendiily
shaded grounds and the varions build
inEs devoted to tho exhibition of the iu-
Vulnerable products of the Valley.
Late in the afternoon. inst before the
starting OF tho excursion trains ON the
honcwIrd trip, melons were given to nil
who cared to take them. Many hundreds
OF iren and women carried twenty-five
pound melons to tho cats. small boys and
the colored brethren taking two large
melons each.
Interest chiefly centercd ia the new
horticultural building and tho space dc.
voted to tho floral display and womans
hundiwork. 10 the energy of Mrs Ben
Reed ia due the unusually fine display of
ilornl beauty. In paintings and work.
showing the skill of woman in fancy
needlework the display was particularly
rich. The strongest feature OF the Fair
was the horticultural display. Hon. j. II.
Crowley. superintendent. That such n
variety OF fruits. and all OF such superior
quality. could be produced in region
which was popularity supposed to be fit
only for coyotes aud Texas steers was
marvel TO the hundreds who had never
before visited the Valley. Had any visit.
or doubt of the capacity of the Valley for
horticulture. the display this year cf-
fcctually dispellcd ii.
The display was notable. not oily for
the grent variety OF fruits, but the uni
formly high grade.
That portion of the agricultural build.
ing devoted to farm products contained
very fine specimens OF n wide range OF
products but the quantity was lacking.
The all-absorbing cantaloupc crop so
taxed the energies of our farmers that
they did not take time to gather exhibits.
The closing day of the Fair attracted n
most excellent attendance. a fine pro-
gram was provided in the speed ring
which was thoroughly enjoyed, all the
more so by reason Of the absence of the
crush of Watermelon Day.
We had hoped to publish in this issue
n complete list Of the premiums awarded.
but the past week has been so crowded
with events requiring our space that it's
publication is necessarily deferred. Not
only SO. but other Fair news is also
crowded out until next week.
Hon. J. II. Crowley is deserving
special mention for abundant and
skillfnl labors in connection with the ex.
hibits in the new hall devoted to agricul.
tural and horticultural products.
Pueblo always does handsomely by