The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-09-29
GREAT SUCCESS.
The Mapleton Street Fair is a
Hummer.
Large List of Entries and Fine Atten-
dance During Both Days of
the Carnival.

Blue Earth county is blessed with a
goodly number Of enterprising villages,
progressive business men and active
ladies, and when they set out to do any
thing it is done we'll This fact was
never more forcibly demonstrated than
by the two days street fair at Mapleton
which closed Thursday
Mapleton's reputation for getting up
an entertaining program for the edit
cation of her visitors is well known,
hence the large number of people drawn
there to pass two days found just the
kind of enjoyment that best suited his
or her individual taste. From the
standpoint of success our neighbors
fairly outdid themselves. The ladies
took possession of the opera house and
transformed it into veritable palace
of beauty. Exhibits tastefully placed
were so interviewer in their arrange
ment, and yet. in sense so distinctly
separate, as to give charm to the ap.
pearance of the entire interior. A
fountain of water, with potted plants
surrounding, formed center piece of
exceeding beauty, while just to the
rear was ''cosy corner" decorated
exteriorally with wheat, and most
charmingly fitted up inside with rugs,
easy chairs, sofas and bric-a brac, the
whole giving most pleasing effect and
inviting appearance. For this beauti-
full exhibition of handiwork and taste
we incidentally learn that the credit
is due to Mrs. G. G. Spaulding and Mrs.
Martin Schlingerman. Beautifully
wrought needle work found place on
the walls. The culinary department
was amply supplied, handsome paint
ings were everywhere visible, the
school children showed their skill in
the presentation or drawings. penman-
ship, etc., and in fact almost every
thing that the prolific brain of woman
could well conceive was brought forth
to make the room attractive.
The stock exhibit was exceptionally
large and fine. There were more
horses, cattle, sheep and swine exhibit
ed than at the county fair, while the
display of fruit and vegetables was sat
isfactory both as to the quantity and
quality. While the judges gave John
Sprague red and blue ribbons on the
exhibit of vegetables and wheat from
his Grant .county farm, we heard it
slyly said that this was done through
the partiality of John Diamond, one of
the judges, and not because the exhibit
possessed any merits of growth or
grandeur. Mr.. Diamond admitted that
he wanted to encourage John in
his farming operations, hence the rib
bons.
The streets were becomingly arched
and illuminated with electricity and
the business houses were all tastefully
decorated for the occasion. A band
stand was erected in the center of the
street, decorated with grain and grasses
and lighted in the evening with incan-
descent lamps.
The enterprise shown in getting such
a large collection of exhibits together
may be best appreciated when it is
known that not a dollar in premiums
was offered or given. Exhibits in all
departments were judged and the most
meritorious were given red and blue
ribbons. This shows what can be done
with the proper effort, and much credit
is due to Editor Hotaling, of the En-
terprise, for the success, not only of the
exhibition, of stock and display of
fruit, vegetables, etc., but for the fair
as whole. He entered into the work
with enthusiasm and determination
and is to be congratulated on his splen-
did achievements. Less than $500 was
expended on the entire fair. Two
bands of music were in constant atten-
dance, foot ball. base ball, foot races
and other sports followed in rapid sue
cession, and the visitors lacked nothing
for amusement.
The weather was delightful, the at
tendance large, and the people of
Mapleton made everybody feel com
Portable and happy. No fakirs were
permitted to ply their nefarious games
and the hundred or more people from
Mankato yesterday were none of them
feeced out of their good dollars.
Mapleton's street fair has no doubt
come to stay. Its success this year
will give added zeal to the citizens for
next years effort.
Carnival Notes.