Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-08
BANGoR's FAIR.
president seai Decides to Quit an IN
profitable Enterprise.

profitable Enterprise.
Bangor, Me-. July THE News saws
Bangor's famous fair is dead-fol
this year certainly, and probably for al
time. This decision has been reacbe,
by Mayor F. o. Beal, president of tn.
association. who stated on Wednesda,
night that the exhibitions have no
been profitable, and that he does mi
care to put any more Of his time n,
money into the enterprise.
The first fair was given in 1854 q,
Aug. l of that year, under Mr.. Real.
direction. the work of CONSTRUCTING N.
race track was begun, and on Sont
% of that year the first exhibition ,,.as
begun. The grand stand was tho,
only partially built. and few of the
other buildings were completed, so tha,
a good part of the show was given nm.
der canvass, but the next year tho an
hit was complete, and ever since tho,
the fair has been big thing for Ban.
gor and all of eastern Maine.
From 1883 to 1855 the fair was give,
by Messrs. J. p. Bass, F.. o, Zeal an,
Ezra l.. Storms, associated as individ,,.
ais. but in 1885 the enterprise was in
corpOrated under the name of the Fact
ern Maine State Fair. In 1885 and 1ss,
the New England Fair was held in con
junction with the Eastern, and erea
crowds from all over the eastern mar
at
OF the Eastern Maine State Fair Asso
citation were: President, joseph p
Bass; vice president, f. II. Greeley O
Ellsworth; secretary, Ezra l.. Stems
treasurer, S. d. Benson; general sinner
intendent, +. o. Beal.
The fair continued until 1895 unda
this mana cement, when Mr.. Bass sol,
one-third interest to Messrs. Beal an,
Stems for $500, and these two hay,
since been equal partners in the enter
prise, owning the buildings and al
other property on the grounds, an(
having lease from Mr.. Bass who still
owns the grounds. about 40 heres OF
land in the western part of the city
In all tWenty-one exhibitions have beer
given, and the aggregate attendance
has been about G60, 900, an average OIL
80 900 a year In that time the annua
receipts have been about as follows:
From admissions, paid. ...... Sl5. oOi
state stipend Observation-Disclosures. 1,75(
Rents and privileges ............. 2,00l
Grand stand tickets ......, 2,OO(
Entrance moneys ............ 2,50i
+ Total annually spa, 25(
Total for q years $4SS.250.
All of this. says President Beal, ha.
been paid ont in premiums and fol
labor and other expenses. and he esti
mates that the crowds that have come
to Bangor to attend the fair have spent
in the city an equal. sum. so that. as h,
figures it, the fair has been the means
of disbursing in Bangor and in Eastern
Maine. to the farmers and merchants
and others, about million of dollars
Not only this" says President Beal
but think Of the benefit the fair has
been as an ancOur? cement ta agricul-
ture and stock raising. Before the fail
was held. a man could drive Though
this part of Maine for days at ;,ftimo
without seeing n blooded colt or any
fine cattle. whereas now the country II
full of the best stock to be seen any
where. The fair has given agriculture
and stock breeding boom in this part
of Maine that will go on for years,
without any further incentive, and
there is no way Of estimating the value
Of the exhibition in this direction. IT
must be immense. The holding of the
fair and the establishment of the
Maplewood park has greatly enhanced
the value of real estate i'm that part of
Bangor, and that is something to be
considered"
When asked for his reasons for dig
continuing the fair, Mr.. Beal said ttha
he had put $4,000 Of his money and a
good deal Of his time and energy for
q years into it. without any. financial
benefit or what he consi'yrs due en-
co,ra cement. Under tn .Msonditions.' -
said he. Il think it iss/-bout time to
quit" Mr.. Storms h3lsI also put about
$40, 900 in money into the fair and much
of his time. The lease Of the grounds
to the society has yet 90 years to run.
Mr.. Bass some months ago offered
to give the park land to the city of Ban
gor for use as a pleasure park, the city
to collect the rental of $500 year from
the association until the expiration of
the lease ard turn it over to him, then
to become owner of the property, unin-
numbered; or, in case the society should
see fit to terminate the lease. the city
could make such arrangements with
them as might be agreed upon for the
immediate possession of MaplewOod.
A committee of the city council had
this proposition in hand, but has as
yet made no report. In case the les
sees. Messrs Beal and Stems. have the
property on their hands for the remain
ing 90 years of the lease period, they
will be able to get more than the an
nual rental from the rent of stables
and other buildings on the grounds.
Some of these buildings. may be con-
verified into dwellings,.
Should the city see fit to accept the
offer of Mr.. Bass, then it is likely that
the fences and cattle sheds would be
torn down, and the space within the
track made into athletic grounds. the
track being used for driving purposes,
while, in the course of time. the grounds
outside of the track would be beauti-
fed as are the other city parks. The
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