The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-10-11
a VIRGINIA FAIR
AND CORN CONTEST


o'clock and remained until 1890 to see
the IRE works. We enjoyed it i'm
mensely: the weather was fine. with
Just that crisp air that made the at
mosphere celebrating: big crowds in
attendance every day and all enjoy
ing II.
think It was one Of the most or
derby fairs / ever attended. We imme-
dtately went to the grand stand to
watch the races. They were very fine,
but seemed to lack that snap that you
sometimes see. The band played de-
Hghtfully. There were also several
attractions in the shape of acrobats
and spiral plane. which. as some one
expressed IT, was the biggest stunt
that he had ever witnessed. All in an
open space in front of the grand stand.
with three big balloons. which ascend
ed during the intervals Of waiting and
made one think that huge circus
was exhibiting. but all Of this con-
tinual play made time fly. but 1t all
made q picture to be remembered.
Time was moving so rapidly that we
struck out to see the stock, as we un-
derstood there was fine display. We
executed some big stunts and did some
tall walking. for the stock exhibit
But we were repaid for the walk. for
/ have never seen finer animals and so
many Of them: horses, cows and hogs
Of every description, from Ohio, Vir-
ginia and Indiana, with a string Of
blue ribbons and other colors hang
ing before the stalls, looking like
milliner's store on grand opening
day. II was dark ere we got through
the life stock department. but as the
exhibits were also open at night and
the building was kept brilliantly IL
Illuminated. people had no trouble to
see. 1t was grand display. but. OF
course, the corn was the principal at
traction and there was no discounting
the fact that 1t was worth journey
to see. Corn was king until you
struck the other exhibits and then you
began to hedge.
I thought had seen fine displays of
apples in past years. but let we tell
you old Virginia had the goods-in
size. coloring and quality that would
make the famous Hood River apple
growers sit up and take notice of the
old Virginia yellow pippin and other
rare and noted varieties.
1.-THE beautiful display Of needle work
Was = feast for woman's eyes. and the
lovely pies and cakes. We can't be-
Gin to describe them. Talk about cook
ing, when you see such a display of
chocolate. pound, cream, lemon choc-
olate, gold, silver cakes we gave it up,
aud thought Of the commandment
Thou shalt not steal" was all that
kept our fingers of of the tempting
array Of the chefs art. 1t may have
been our hunger was to blame for our
illegal desires, any way we came upon
the we'll spread tables prepared for
the hungry by st. Ann Cathedral la
dies, who were serving meals. and
such meals as they served, with spec
linens Of Virginia cooking as was an
exhibition: good old Virginia ham
meats OF All kinds. pickles. cheese, the
nnsst bread and butter; apple sauce
salads bountifully supplied, all for 81
cents
After our toothsome meal we took
in the midway and you never saw a
jollier crowd-fun was there by the
bushel basketful. With 9 o'clock came
the IRE works and when you know i,
was 'Pruines'" there is nothing more
can be said. The crowd seemed salts
fed. as the pyrotechnics lit up the
heavens with magnificent sparklings
The day was nothing but amusemen,
and laughter, but the browning &C,
was when the crowd, numbering thou
sands. lit out for the cars. 1t took
hours to move them. but only a few
minutes to reach the track and sucf
sprinting--not in the order of your
going. but went. The way the Grove
pushed and struggled for vantag.
points. but all good natured and in du'
time all reached home safely tired, bu
delighted with the days diversion.
and sight seeing.
l have seen larger fairs but non,
more complete and attractive than tn,
Lynchburg fair. AS one person remark
ed. mot q bum thing there" which
trust you can say of the Marion count!
attraction. and the absence OF whisk!
smelling men made 1t a positive pleas
nra fnp the 1adios