Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-20
The improvements.

on the second and third days of thu
fair last year. there was such al
enormous crowd present and the place
was so filled that it was almost i'm
possible to move around. The man
agemcnt then saw that to keep the
fair as popular as it has been. the
grounds must be enlarged and some
needed improvements made.
With their usual foresight they pur
chased two acres on the lower corner
toward the Augusta road. They also
replaced the fence along the front Of
the grounds with nice new fence and
put in a system of water works. The
grounds are now as modern as any fair
in the State Of its size. The water is
taken from a spring on the bank Of
the brook and is pumped about the
grounds by a windmill. It first goes
into a large tank with a capacity Of
5000 gallons. This tank is situated
just beyond the track near the three
quarters pole. There is a barrel here
for horses to drink from. Close to the
fence and not far from the windmill
are placed two large troughs for the
use of the cattle on exhibition. These
drinking troughs are nicely painted
dark red. the same as the tank and all
other watering places about the
grounds.
Over by the stables the water facili-
ties have always been rather poor and
the horsemen have had to carry their
water some distance. and even then d
sufficient supply at times has been I'M
obtainable. Now all is changed, for a
large trough has been placed in the
center of the grounds near the stables.
and the horses will have all the water
needed.
There is tap at the door of the Ex-
hibition hall and another near the
Midway for the accommodation Of
those wishing water. The water is
pure spring water and is deliciously
cool. The people used lots Of it. today
for it was warm and people soon be
came thirsty. The large drain did not
make any noticeable diminution of the
supply, and it will stand all drains.
even if the majority Of springs and
other water supplies are drying up on
account Of the long dry spell.
The track formerly had few bad
places in it. especially on the first turn
and along the back stretch. The man
.iSStIittlit II1it SAW ii tIidItNt lOI III
provement and as they depend on the
horsemen for good part of the crowd
they decided to lay out nearly 500 OF
the track. 1t is now one of the hes
half mile tracks in this section al,
some fast time is sure to be made her.
before the fair closes. 1t was sandy
but a good heavy coat of clay has beer.
put on and many of the hOllows have
~
been filled up and the whole scrappeG
and made level. There is still Slight
grade on the back stretch but it is not
enough to throw a horse off and il il,
all up hill.
The band has always had rather n
poor place unless il was in the grand
stand. but this year nice stand has
been built and is now ready for ,ht
band. 1t is just below the judges
stand and the leader can much more
easily be told when to play and Whcr
not to play.
The grand stand has also been re-
paired little. There was an oprr
space above the seats and On windy
days the wind used to come through
and make it decidedly uncomfor-
table. This place has been tightly
potl NCu III anu iIlt ietuItS W I'll HOW llti
suffer with the cold should one of the
days be windy.
The cattle instead of being Ii the
center of the ring are to be placed in
the new portion of the grounds. \ large
number of hitchinS places have been
erected and Is pens built for the ac-
commodation of the stock which is on
exhibition.
The center of the track can row b,
exclusively used for the hitchng OF
teams. Several new rails have hneH
erected and the capacity greatly inclcaa-
ed to what it was with the stock in tn
center. There will probably be spac,
enough to accommodate all. but should
the attendance increase as il has il
former years it is doubtful if the man
agement will have enough room