The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-09-17
SOUTH RYEGATE FAIR.


South Ryegate, Wednesday and Thurs
day, Sept, and 10. The weather for
both days was fine although Thursday
morning there was every appearance
of rain. Fortunately for the pleasure
of those attending no rain fell. On
the first day there was a very good
crowd and the forenoon was taken up
by the people of the association in
getting exhibits ready and making
arrangements for the succeeding days.
Some races occurred in the afternoon
and the first day passed off very nicely.
Thursday, the second day, we'll filled
with attractions. At an early hour a
good crowd had gathered and the
hours passed quickly. A specil train
was run from Montpelier on Thursday
morning and when it arrived at the
fair grounds it was we'll filled with
people, besides the large number that
came by team. About $500 people
were on the ground, fully as large
number as has ever attended these fairs.
All seemed to be enjoying the day i'm
mensely and the best of order pre-
vailed throughout both days. One
good feature of this fair was that as
soon as one race was over, horses were
in readiness for the next one. At there
O'Clock occurred the tug-of-war be-
tween the stone cutters and the farm
ers. This was to be decided for the
best two out of three. 1t was found
that the stonecutters were the strong
err. as they won in the first two pulls.
This was very interesting and drew
the attention of large part of the
crowd.
Cattle-There was fine showing
of cattle, Jerseys and Holsteins thor
oughbred bulls, milch cows, steers
and oxen, all the sheds being we'll
filled, showing what the people of
Ryegate and vicinity can raise.
Horses-There were shown from
fifty to seventy-five horses and colts,
the largest number that was ever
shown on the grounds at one time,
including some very fine suckers, year
lings and two and three-year olds.
The draft hoses did some fine pull
ing. Horses and colts were shown on
the track, Thursday.
Poultry-Some nice poultry, con-
sisting of turkeys and geese, hens,
Plymouth Rocks and others, were
shown. At town fair now much of
the interest centers in the agricultural
and floral departments. These were
rather the best attractions of the fair,
the hall being so we'll filled it seemed
as though no place could be found to
put another article. Several cream
separators were on exhibition; J. f.
Dutton of Montpelier was there with
a piano and organ ON exh ibition; lie
was accompanied by pianist, who
furnished considerable music for the
enjoyment of the crowd. William
Terry of South Ryegate, had fine
display of stoves consisting of cooking
ranges and heaters, and he also
showed the New Home sewing ma
chine. The fruit department was
very much better than one could ex-
pect in such year, there being fine
showing of apples of all the leading
kinds; the fruit was smooth and good
sized. There were fine vegetables of
all kinds, nice potatoes, turnips, beets,
squashes, pumpkins, cabbages, celery
and tomato plant was carried in
just as it grew. Taking the yege-
tables all together it was an excellent
display. The floral department was
very prettily and tastfully arranged
in every way, there being fancy work
of almost every description, consisting
of crazy work quilts and sofa pillows,
tides, doilies, bereau scarfs and mats,
etc. ; also at the entrance to this de-
partment there was fine lot of flowers
prettily arranged. Quite a number of
hand paintings and drawings were
displayed and i'll fact this department
seemed to be the centre of attraction.
1t was in charge of Mrs. E. Lyford,
Mrs. H. L. Baldwin and Mrs. j. A.
Mcclure.
e. l.. Densmore of Barre was on
the ground with his large lunch tent,
prepared to feed the people at all
times of the day. This was place
that in due time was visited and with
apparent satisfaction, for good food
was furnished at low price.
There were men on the ground tax
ing tintypes to be finished while you
wait. ?" This afforded amusement for
some. There was also glass blow
er s tent and other places of amuse-
ment.
The music was furnished by the
Marshfield Cornet Band, under the
efficient leadership of Ira l.. Edison,
consisting of twenty pieces. The band
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