Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-29
BANGOR'S BIG FAIR
Drew from 10000 to $1,000
People, Thursday.
Plenty of Entertainment, With Bal
looms, Races and Fireworks.
Bennie, Luzone ard Icne Win Thurs
day Afternoons Races.

'lii CiptitNiso, bangor, Me-, Aug. M
Especially This morning dawned bright
and clear the forerunner of another
beautiful day for the Eastern Maine
State Fair. But it was hot. oh. so
hot. The fat maidens of the Midway.
who were logged out in skirts that sad
ly lacked acquaintance of wool soap or
any other for that matter, were cross.
They had reason to be cross, for had
they not, since morning, been obliged
to use up several boxes of compiexions
in order to make themselves attractive
when they did their little stunt on the
raised platform in front of the tent?
In the early morning the signs of 4
pleasant day We're to be seen and the
exhibitors We're early astir Out in the
cattle and horse sheds the animals
were given their morning cleaning
which amounts in some CO SEES to a
thorough washing, especially where the
animals We're to be judged. In such
cases, all the tricks OF the trade. and
there are certainly tricks in this trade
as well as others, We're brought to bear
to make the animals appear at their
best
The Midway was in working order
long before the visitors began to pour
in at the gates. At 8 o'clock every side
show about the place was doing a thriv-
ing business and throughout the long
day the melody of the organs and
bands co connected with each estab-
lishment was heard continuously. The
noon hour is not observed and the wo-
men in the 'couchee couchee" shows
We're worse looking lot at night than
in the morning were such a thing pos
sible. The day has been a hot one and
the dust has been blown about in
clouds. The only reason why the Mid
way fairies have not melted in the heat
and in the long hours that they have
had to parade in the high platforms to
advertise themselves, later to dance
with all due apologies to the grace
that the word dance usually implies)
is that their scant clothing kept them
cool or rather prevented them from
melting. Yet it has been a trying day
and lots Of good paint has been wasted
on account Of perspiration.
Then that was not all. Diamond
Lewis girls smiled their sweetest smiles
and fairly wrigSled with ecstasy. The
colored man exhorted the boys to throw
the balls at the man with his head
through the canvass and to hit old
rubber neck on de head" The merry
go-round never stopped minute;
neither did the fellows trying their
strength on the striking machines for
cigars. the Odor of which brought up
"reminiscences of burning brown paper
ana flannel for a mosquito smudSe.
There babel of voices calling the
crowd to buy all sorts of interior deco
rationS from MoXie to Uno beer, with Il
percentage like a poor batter and from
hot E'raukforts to Bartlett pears. 1t
has been good day, and the merry
go-round played appropriate music
when it played 'There'll Be a Hot Time
in the Old Town Tonight"
There was not much doing in the
forenoon outside of the Midway. Down
in the Auditorium the committee was
tackling the premium cards and get
ting ready for the afternoon crowd.
The crowds about the cattle stalls
and stables were especially large. to-
day. and all seemed to be enjoying
themselves. 1t was almost the next
thing to impossible for one to pass
through the packs of people along the
midway and through the exhibition
hall, they were SO Gense.
In some respects the judges are UP
with the game. but in the majority of
cases they are Il little behind, this
year They have been delayed some
what in many cases and it has been
impossible for them to do their Work
until little later than they expected.
They were hard at work on the e2hi-
bition hall and the auditorium, Thurs
dav afternoon, with Il Will. The poultry
was finished, late Wednesday night,
and the swine and cattle are coming
in for their share of attention AL in
turn.
The art department came in for it's
share of glory. today. Not for great
MANY years have so many entries been
recorded or have the pictures and
sketches shown been of so high a grade
of excellence. Nearly a hundred more
entries have been made this year over
last.
The various booths have been ar
ranged with more care and taste, IL
such a feat is possible, than at previous
fairs.
UNDER THE GRANDSTAND.
A large crowd OF people visited the
exhibits in the grand stand hall. today,
and altogether the display, this year.
is worthy of particular mention Be
sides having many more exhibits ana
booths the hall has been arranged i'll
most attractive manner. Last year
This was the one feature OF the faIr
that was neglected. Several bare
sraces in the hall were noticeable ana
but comparatively few booths were oc-
o,,ried. but this year every DIT OF
available space has been utilized py
exhibitors and the result is that the
peonle look upon the display as q
feature deserving of their attention
There is variety here enough 10
satisfy the NEST exacting. There were
manufacturers exhibits, displays q
vi-o iewelry, panorama manipulate
sv a one-armed Civil war veteran, ana
generous display of plump pumpkins
gorgeous and rare flowers. ana farih
and dairy produce in abundance.
CONTINUED on page 80