The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-12
Sun Puts Ground in Shape.

 The sun shone out yesterday, the pray CTS of the state were answered and the Alabama State Fair grounds are ready. That was a beautiful day It made everything turn out in new life, dried the thousands of flags and turned their multi colored streamers flying to the breeze. By yesterday afternoon the race track was perfectly dry and even course. Cap tain Morson was authority for the state ment that 1t could not be any better, and some 20 horses were seen working out preparatory to the races today. The bright face of the heavens, together with the cool temperature, was something of permanent nature. The weather man says 1t will be fair the remainder of the week, and if that be true, Alabama's greatest fair will be fully appreciated by the thousands of visitors who are com ing.
 Things Seen at Fair. For it is the greatest fair of the south. To the crowds who swarmed over the grounds yesterday this was perfectly ap- parent. Standing in that enormous grand stand one could look down on the fastest mile track in the south, while out in front rises the massive chute, down which Schreyer dashes on his dare devil ride. Rube Shields said yesterday that he re- garded every performance the last. and the people of Birmingham have come to understand that Rube Shields knows! Then the two big balloons are seen across the field, ready for imitation. The high wire for Hardy, the platform and paraphernalia for the Spellman bears, the trapeze for the Valentines, were all gaily decorated in flags. Down the Line" every one of the 20 big show tents was in place. The lions and tigers were roaring, the gaily painted fronts told the tale of wonders within, the 115-foot ladder and three feet of water were ready for Mat Gay, while the big exhibit buildings were full of the grandest exhibits that have ever been crowded between four walls in Alabama.
 Really the Beginning.
 The opening of the gates today will really be the beginning of the fair. There will be seven big races on the tracks Frist comes the 2:23 trot, with these entries: The Doctor, driven by Gallagher from Montgomery; Annie May, driven by J. N. Hull from Birmingham; Lady Mar garet driven by Ben Renick from Selma. Bernolga, driven by F. s. Whitney from Macon.
 2O9 pace: Annie Leila, driven by A. w. Mackey from Pulaski; Sandy Hal, driven by s. Thomas from Columbia; Harry A. driven by Ben Frank from Memphis: Lil- ly Pointer, driven by Ben Renick from Selma.
 Five-eigths of a mile running race: En- tries, Clifton Forge, Billie Strong, Mix up, Zera, Lady Bateman and Old Rover. One mile running race: St. Noel, Lady Oakland and Rebo.
 These entries are all closely matched and Captain Morson promises interesting races.
 The Birmingham Motor club will pull off three motorcycle races. the first a five mile race, open to two cylinder machines; second, open to one-cylinder machines and the last, ten miles, free for all. The basketball games under the cleo trio lights tonight, while the band con cert is in progress, will be an interest," ing feature. The Athletic club and the Y. M. c. A. will meet with two of their strong teams. The contest is for a cup. which will be given to the winning team of the entries.
 Concert Programme. Here is the concert programme for both afternoon and night today:
 Afternoon.
 PART I.
 March-"CindereIla" !" Powell
 Overture-"In the Mountain" Ricci Waltz-"Blue Danube.'' Strauss. Soprano Solo-Selected, Miss Wilmine Hammann.
 Fantasle-From the Soul Kiss" Levy
 INTERMISSION.
 PART II.
 Dance-Africaine, Pryor.
 Overture-Jubel, Webber.
 Selection-Robin Hood, Wiegand. Police Patrol-Auber.
 Evening.
 PART I.
 March-The Lusitania, Ricci
 Selection-Barber of Seville, Rossini. Fantase-(a) Scene From Spain; (b) On Tiptoe; Co Polka Caprice.
 Baritone Solo-Selected. Sig. J. Fontano Intermezzo-Iris, Morse.
 INTERMISSION.
 PART H.
 Selectjon--Office Boy, Becker.
 Soprano Solo-Selected, Miss Wilmins Hammann.