Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-09-24
Reminiscenee.--chel.ea Fair.


During these days OF fairs-state,
county and local-it may be of interest
to some OF our older residents to read the
following, and some of the younger gen.
Grafton to know that Chelsea once upon
time held fair-that OF the Orange
County Agricultural society the re-
port which follows Of one held in 1851 is
taken from an extra published by the
Family Gazette for distribution among
the members of the Orange County Agri-
cultural society and seems to be official
as it was prepared by L. R. Morris, secre-
tary of the society.
The fair was held in the village; the
cattle and horses were hitched around
the commons, which in those days were
surrounded by strong fence with gran
lite posts.
The Town hall. " hicb was then on the
/ first floor of the court house. was used as
Floral hall for the exhibition of vege-
| tables, mechanic arts and fancy goods.
The horse racing was at first held
through the Main street. but later, and
probably at the time OF this fair, the
races were held on one-third mile track
which had been built about one mile
from the village on a level tract of land
across the river from near where H. T.
Judd now lives. The form OF this track
is still quite visible most of the way.
j The Orange County fair was moved tc
Bradford probably as early as 1857 or s.
where it continued TO flourish for many
years.
The clipping from the Family Gazett,
follows:-
1.-THE fifth annual fair of the Orang'
Co. Agricultural society was holden a
Chelsea the 18th OF September. Tit
attendance was remarkably large ane
the exhibition excellent. We never en-
loved holiday better, and we believ
|. everyone present would be ready to sa.
, the same. To US it was really matte
, of surprise that on such an occasion s.
much zeal and enthusiasm should b
manifested by old and young, male ant
, female. From every section OF tn
|, county. fathers and sons, mothers AM
, daughters, were there, vieing with eacl
other in rendering the fair attractive
interesting and profitable. 1t is SAL
that no county in the state equals VI
Orange in the splendor OF her Agricul
tural fairs. Having won this reputa
ton. let her see to it that she Will no
hereafter be caught mapping, and ALLOW
: her proud laurels to be pluckeo lroi
l her by her aspiring sister counties.
: "The day OF the fair at Chelsea coul
$ not have been finer. 1t was neltner 10
, warm nor too cool and previous RAJ
had so settled the dust that the incon
: yenience on this account was siignt. In
e marshal, Capt. ID. Batchelder, acqui.te
y himself in fine STYLE. Under his efficien
s management the various long teams an
/ the thousand-and-one other objects
d;so,av were early got upon the groun
with regularity and good order II
chelsea OK team. numbering one hundre
!. and one woke of noble animals. led by
!. majestic bull carrying flag, frst can
= into the village Drawn by this prou
. team was a capacious and superoiy oec'
rated carriage, as much more 10 De a.
:, mired than the triumphant car OF mil
;, tary conqueror as the achievements
8 neace are nobler than the victories
y war. Riding on this carriage were ~
y merous stords of the soil, accompahie
q bv a hand of music. while there noate
ohove their heads beautiful panne
n h,er,aticaI of the farmers calling. II
e sdecorations' of the carriage consisted
n sheaves of wheat, tresses OF lnolan COT
IL SAMPLES of scuashes, pumpkins, onion
If beets- turnips. &C., &c. The farmers
4 Wosb;noton and Vershire each came
d the ground in like manner. ana were 90 =,
N nassed by the Chelsea farmers only IN y
number of their oxen. the latter nasii
II a few more yoke. a.
= ssThe show of horses was very III
: rh.re we're some nice specimens
y trottinp and some pretty good racih
i Time will not permit us to speak IN pa
N ticular terms of the exhibition Oh ~"
d sheep, swine, poultry, fruits, vegetable apO
E. and last, though not least. the nu nero
1T samples of the handiwork OF the 'ao'''
10 the fairest of the fair. - ar
d "At about O'Clock p. M, tne pre-
INNS awarded by the several coi,''h -. :
were announced from the s.anu ~
secretary. after which short ana p..
ra,t addresses we're made by Mr.. spe
ne ~ West Randolph and Mr.. motifs >,
81 Bradford. The band then played ivy
or or and the multitude dispersed.
en- ar anu 'A