Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-09-03
CENTRAL MAINE FAIR.
Institution Has Had Phenomenal
Growth in Three Years.


Lewiston. The last Of this trio of eX-
hibitions 10 take place will be the Cen
tIal Maine fair. Sept. 1l-14, which will
present its third annual exhibition.
During the three years which this
prucuciouS infant has been under the
care of President l.. =. Mayo and his
efficient helpers. it has grown almost
as much as an ordinary State fair does
in a generation.
Just at this time, whine everybody
is looking forward to the success of
the exhibition, many people have been
heard to ask why wasn't it thought
of before" The city of Waterville has
stood just where it stands today. near
the confluence of the Kennebec, the
MessalOnskee and the Sebasticook, it
was Il railroad center 10 years ago, it
was fully as delightful to the visitors
eye as at present but nobody had the
courage to put forward the idea that
Waterville was the place for such an
exhibition
BY this it is not meant that nobody
ever thought of having Il driving park
in Watervile. AS a matter of fact a
driving park already existed; but it is
certain that nobody ever thought of
Waterville's becoming the seat of the
great exhibition that is now to be held
annually here.
Several years ago Cyrus Davis of
Waterville conceived the idea of haV-
ing a baseball ground on the site OF
the present Central Maine park. The
Colby diamond was the only place for
hn hnU than in cnn1itinn for MIA wing
good ball, and this was not always
available. Mr.. Davis, desiring to have
the grounds surveyed for this purpose.
employed John II. Burleigh to run the
lines.
When Mr.. Burleigh found himself on
the plot of ground between Waterville
and Oakland, which now is the home
of one of the finest agricultural eXhi-
billions in New England, he was at
once struck by the extreme fitness of
the site for a great fair. and leaving
his task he returned to WaterVille and
hunted up Mr.. Davis
You don't want to make a ball
ground out of that" he declared. Mr..
Davis was considerably surprised, and
asked the reason. !
IL you tuIll IL lIlto IL btll lltlu, Silu
Mr. Burleigh, you will spoil it for the
best fair grounds in the State of
Maine"
After some purSuasion, Mr.. Davis de-
termined to follow out the plan sug-
gested by Mr.. Rurleigh. But there
weer difficulties in the way. Many of
Mr. Davis business associates fought
shy Of the new enterprise. fearing that
it could not prove successful VEN
ture. Finally. however. enough capital
was interested to assure the plan
financial backing, and work was be-
gun.
When Mr.. Burleigh was questioned
by the journal representative as to his
connection with the early beginnings of
Central Maine park. being a modest
man he would have nothing to say eX-
cept that he made the survey while the
plan was under consideration, but the
above statement of facts is made on
good authority and may be regarded
as authentic.
But whatever the precise origin of
the fair it is yet in its infancy, and
this word brings to mind the fact that
one of the most unique exhibitions at
the fair this year will be the baby
show To the objection that baby
shows are all alike the reply is made
that Supt. Fuller of the Coliseum ex-
hibits has made his plans in such a
manner that this baby show will be
different from anything of the kind
ever held Instead of score of in
fants there will be about IS, and they
will occupy Il raised platform at the
northern end Of the Coliseum, built in
terraced form so as to enable all the
spectators to have a fair view of the
exhibit. There will be all kinds of
babies at the show. A negro baby and
an Indian baby have been promised.
The management went to considerable
time and expense in the hope of Sc
curing Chinese baby. but it was said
that there were only three or four in
Boston, and their mothers were a lit
tie timd about bringing their charges
to Maine so the plan was abandoned
Every baby will receive prize,
something new in the management of
baby shows. First there are the
prizes awarded by the judges-the
handsomest boy baby. the prettiest girl
baby. the tallest baby. the shortest
baby and the lightest baby. Then so
prizes in the shape Of very pretty sill
Yer mugs will be given to those babies
who are not prize winners. But this
is not all. Through the generosity of
| the Wardwell- Emery Co. of Watervilie.
every other baby, over the number of
so, who receives 10 prize, will be given
prettily dressed doll. The prettiest
girl under two and half years will
be awarded prettily dressed doll from
| the Clukey- Libby Co. Henry Darrah
offers a drum to the handsomest boy
under two and half years Redington
& Co. offer a crib to the best pair of
twins under two and half years.
There weren't any twins last year at
| the fair. This year eight or nine pairs
will compete for the prize.
The baby show will take place at 10
O'Clock Tuesday forenoon. and promis-
IS to be the largest affair of its kind
| ever held in Maine. Many entries have
been made and many more are promis-