The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-07

Yesterday was Savannah Day at the
fair. 1t was a great day and
a great crowd from the time of open
ing the gates until late at night the
grounds were thronged with visitors. 1t
was also judging from the appearance
of the grounds, ladies' day. There
was no disorder during the entire
morning and afternoon. and the crowd
was in a merry humor. Fully 1000 to
5000 people were on the ground.
When the gates were thrown open to
the public at 9 o'clock there was
large number of persons waiting. The
number of railroad coupons handed in
showed that the majority were visitors
from a distance. who had come to the
grounds to put in full day. And they
carried out their purpose to the letter.
AS the day advanced more ar
rived at the grounds, though
the greater portion of the crowd did
not put in an appearance until after
the noon hour. At / o'clock the
grounds were comfortably filled with
visitors and from that time until the
opening of the races each trolley car
was filled with passengers.
Up to O'clock, the time at which
the races began, the crowd amused
itself by inspecting the Midway and
the exhibit buildings, the majority go
ing to the latter. The strength testing
machines were surrounded by groups
of men, and the cane and doll racks
-
In the exhibit buildings there was
constant stream of visitors passing up
and down the halls and inspecting the
different booths. The art booths and
the fancy needlework displays were the
meccas for the lady visitors, while the
merchants display and the live stock
exhibit attracted the majority of the
gentlemen. .-s.
Grand stand Was Packed.
AS the hour for beginning the race
approached the crowds in the exhibit
buildings and on the Midway began
thinning out, and every one rushed to
the grand stand to take in the race.
Ii was there that the first real esti-
mate of the big crowd could be made,
and fully 1900 people damned into the
stand. When the call for the ponies
for the first race was made there was
not an available seat in the stand.
The crowd of spectators who did not
enter the stand stretched along the
fence from the bookies' stand to the
stable, and the enthusiasm was high.
Between the races Kennedy Bros. put
on another excellent programme, and
in honor of Savannah Day made 1t
specially strong one. The feats of the
daring riders captured the crowd, and
they were applauded heartily. The In
dian race also came in for a round
of applause and the novelty of seeing
redskin riders racing around the track
was heartily appreciated.
Closing Hours of the Day.
AS soon as the races were off the
crowd again rushed out to the eX-
hibit buildings and began making the
rounds again. The music stands kept
up a constant run of music and at
times the aisles were practically block
ed by the crowds in front of each
stand.
At the art stands there were also
large crowds while the restaurant
booth of the Daughters of the Con-
fedeIacy came in for a goodly share
of patronage. In the county exhibit
building there were also many specta-
tors and the highest compliments were
showered upon the different managers
for their efforts to bring out creditable
exhibits.
The greatest fun. however. was on
the grounds. The stands of the diff
ferent varieties of fakirs were throng-
ed and the ladies took seemingly as
much pleasure in watching the men
trying to ring canes as the men did
in the ringing. There was everywhere
the sound of constant shouting and
the drumming of the bally-hos on the
Midway. There was an air of infinite
confusion everywhere and every one
was hurrying, and yet there was no
disorder of any nature.
To-day ChiIdren's Day.
This is Children's Day at the grounds,
and the inmates of the orphan asylums
throughout the city will be the guests
of the Fair Association. All who at
tend in a body will be admitted to the
grounds without charge. Other children
VIII be recognized by the management,
and will be admitted for half price, rs
cents.
The directors have learned that the
children of the Bethesda Orphans Home.
st. Marys Home, Savannah Female
Orphans Home, Episcopal Orphans
Home and the Kings Daughters Dav
Nursery will be at the grounds in n
body. The management win do all in
their power to make their little guests
spend a pleasant afternoon and a num-
Der of the Midway showmen have
promised that they will give a special
exhibition to the little ones.
1t will be another gala day in every
respect. The free attraction will give
another special programme, and every
thing will be done to make the day a.
pleasant one for the little guests of the
association.