The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-10-11
THE WELDON FAIR.
Long Noted as the Best in the State
Where Everybody Goes to Meet
Every body Else.

Editor Frank S. Woodson. OF the
Newport News Herald. Tar Heel to
the manner born. (native OF Warren
tom thus refers 10 the Weldon fair.
past and present:
The editor of the Herald is in receip; OF
an invitation to the twenty-fifth annual
fair OF the Roanoke and Tar River Agri-
cultural Society, which will be held at
Weldon, y. e., October Both and 31st.
and November 1st and 2nd
If we can shut up shop for day or in
any way find the time to spare we pro-
pose to attend the fair Officially it is
called the Roanoke and Tar River fair.
but generally it is known simply as the
"WeIdOn fair and great fair it is. 1t
is the last remaining OF the old time fairs
1t has been for many years and promises
to be for many years to come, a Joy and
a comfort to the people of several coun-
ties OF two States. The fair perhaps is as
good as any old timer but that isn't
saying much. AS matter of fact, the
falr Ism t much; it never was much as
TAR but 1t has held on for a quarter OF Il
century while other old time fairs have
faded and died. It has been growing all
this time, too, Notwithstanding the ex-
hIblts have been year after year the same
old ducks and chickens, raw-bOned horses,
fat pigs, and broad backed COWS, the same
old big pumpkins and turnips, the same
old home made cOunterpanes with the
embroidered picture of Washingt Oh cross
ing the Delaware, the same old Jars Of
preserves and 'appIe sass" the same old
fancy plates OF butter and the same old
crowd get the premiums on this old time
exhibits. The same oldraw-boned horses
make the same old circuit of the same old
circle around the fair grounds and their
same old owners go through the form
and substance OF receiving the same old
premiums. And it must be added that
the same Old fakirs and gamblers and
three card monte men are there to play
their same old swnding games.
These things no longer attract atten-
ton but, all the same, great crowds at
tend the Weldon fair every year and the
gate receipts largely more than pay ex-
penses. While other fairs Gifts kind have
played out, the Weldon fairstil fOurishes
and what is the secret of it? Why, the
people OF Il hall Il dozen or more counties
located in Virginia and North Carolina
make the annual pilgrimage to Weldon
tor the same reason that the woman of
an athestic turn OF mind gave for going
to church; ito saw and be saWn.' 1t is
the annual roundup of the people of the
SIX, eight or ten contiguous counties.
They go, not to see the exhibits, not to
see the fair, but to see each other 1t is
the only time in the year that friends and
relatives of those regions meet, and fam
lily reunions are the leading features Of
the Weldon fair. 1t is much on the order
OF the cold home days" that have recent
~ been instituted and become so popular
in New England. We know half dozen
or more people now living in Newport
News who came from the Roanoke and
Tar River regions who wouldn't miss the
Weldon fair for ten times the cost of at
tending, because they know they are 60
ing to meet there the Old folks from
home. The old folks from home who
were nearest and dearest to them may be
dead and gone many years, but some old
folks who were near and dear to them
may be there-wil be Thereon their
children or grand children will be there,
and old acquaintance will be renewed
1t is great pity that there are not
more such reunions on this earth as the
Weldon fair affords. Some people think
it is well calculated to give faint idea of
Heaven and we shouldn't wonder if it is
We are going to. try to go to the We
don fair this year for the sake of Aud
Lang Syne.