Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-10-01
W0oDSTocK'S FALL FESTIVAL
Fifty.third Annual Windsor County
Fair Rivals Former Exhibitions.

Woodstock's great fall festival,
the Windsor County fair, is over,
and the week has been notable one
for its splendid exhibition, big
crowds of people and fine weather.
Every corner of the county was rep.
resented by the visitors and the at
tendance has been a mountaineering
one.
The opening days programme
wouldn't have been complete with
out a sprinkle of rain and it came
about 1 o'clock. 1t was very brief
shower, though-not enough to take
the smile from the managers faces
nor to throw the band out of tune as
it marched over to the grounds.
Then the sun shonc again and busi-
ness went On with Il rush. The de-
partment superintendent had their
hands full, as entries came in fast
and by early afternoon the promise
of fine exhibition was fulfilled. A
big display of agricultural products,
big show of horses, cattle, sheep
and swine-all that goes to make up
a real old-fashioned county fair was
there.
Floral hall was in its usual chaotic
condition Tuesday morning, but its
transformation into Il picturesque and
attractive show place was not long
IN coming. There were about the
usual number of visitors on the
grounds and they found plenty to
interest them in the work of prepa-
ration for the bigger crowd to come.
Wednesday was perfect day and
high wafer mark was nearly if not
quite reached in point of attendance.
Teams began to roll in early in the
morning from every direction and
Judging from the number, adjoining
towns and more distant places must
have heen drawn on heavily for Wis
jtors; everybody was headed for the
grounds and they came to stay all
day-men. women and children.
There was difficulty in getting about
the grounds. There were 4 lot of
good things to .ce and everyone
wanted to take II look at once.
The coaching parade was fca'
tune of the days entertainment and
races were good and exciting enough
to keep the crowd together. The
| fakirs were numerous and noisy but
nothing could drown the merry-go-
rounds untuneful and continuous
whistle and organ solos; these and
the moving crowds ct people and
teams and the racket from the stock
pens made an animated picture
which kept every one interested all
day.
The third days attendance was
up to the average, clear skies again
making the tinis hing touch to the
successful thrrc-,lavs' show.
FLORAL HALL.
The "wor ans corner" floral
hall, was an unus,a llv attractive
place this year, about all the avail
able space being taken by hundreds
of pieces of beautiful fancy work,
household articles, embroideries,
pictures. and 81 thousand and one
things brought IN by feminine ex-
hibitors.
Among the business firms which
made display were ]. b. Jones,
with bea ut,ful exhibit of china,
and Dana Brothers, who had an at
tractive display of cloaks and fancy
goods supplemented by several relics
of the late war with Spain. E. A.
Spear showed several handsome
parlor and chamber sets, etc, artis-
tically arranged, the exhibit taking a
good share of the upper floor, where
it found many interested visitors.
Time. patience and skill were
shown in the needlework, embrol-
der,es and laces displayed and some
exquisite pieces were shown by
Helen w Marble. Mrs II Pember,
Mrs d e Sherwin, Mrs FW Howes,
Mrs F S Fairbanks, Mrs II E King,
Mrs John Gilman, Margaret Aitken
and many others. Miss f A Sisco,
Quechee, exhibited point lace, Lulu
Willis, rainbow scarf, Mrs w II
Emery, doilies.
A pretty and interesting collection
of pictures were hung on the walls
and were much above the average n
merit, some of Miss Pitkin's pupils
showing excellent work in charcoal
and water color. Among those ex-
hibiting one or more waite, colors
were Rachel French. Regis and
Hilda Smith. Maude Townsend,
Lucy Z Wood. Edith Marble, Eva
NJ Gobie. Charcoal work was
shown bv Ruth Griffin, Verona
Smith, Rachel French and several
others; A E Thomas has nicely
5 executed pen drawing and Mrs NJ ]
. Sargent of South Royalton contrib
utcd an oil painting.
! Of rugs and carpets there was the
: usual handsome and well made
! number shown. Among the exhih-
itors were Mrs Fred Z Fletcher,
r Inez Watkins and Mrs F G. Johnson
: the latter ''S5 years old and no,