The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-10-04
|ROV|LLE'S FIRST FAIR.

The fair held in Cummings store
hullding last Friday and Saturday was
a complete success both in point of at
tendance and the extent, character and
variety of the exhibits. At no time had
Il been touted as an agricultural and
stock fair, and only took on the nature
n an exhibition of diversified products
After the original plans for the event
we're well under way. Had there been
time to create interest and advertise
the Intention to take on products of all
(, kinds the collection would have been
too large for the capacity of the build
4 ing As it was, not a square foot of
available space was left vacant.
II Is not out of place in this con-
nection to repeat the story of how the
\ fair came about, Il movement that may
have a bearing upon permanent Or
eauizatiOn. The Deborah society of
the Presbyterian church, following the
custom prevalent among church So
cleties that are constantly engaged in
deyising means to raise funds for their
particular church organizations met
for the purpose of hitting upon some
line of entertainment that would at
tract the public attention. and Incl
dentally separate the public from a
few shekels. One of the members,
= Mrs. j. w. Gilmore, suggested fair.
after the nature of county fair, as
something that had not been worked
to death in Oroville. 1t is doubtful if
the lady had any idea that the plan
/. would Outgrow the original intention
Of the society, that is modest display
Of goods and chattelS on a small scale,
R with few speciality features, and, in
deed, the proposition did not at first
z meet with the united and enthusiastic
\ approval of the membership, as it
promised much work with inadequate
returns for the labor However, the
town was canvassed, and the plan at
once touched responsive chord
among business men, and tract own
ers In the neighborhOod manifested
equally as great interest in the move
ment. Willing hands contributed aid
Z and assistance, and out of the modest
beginning grew fair that was a cred
4 to the town and surrounding coun-
ny while flattering commendation
10 the enterprise of the organization
responsible for it.
e It required gruelling work to set
Ne house in order for the opening
\ Atur,. 4 o'clock last Friday afternoon,
Nhen the doors were thrown open
10 the public, and the eXpectant crowd
commenced filling in, the sight thct
greeted the visitor was one that Great
al q n q nj RI lnd
keen pleasure The scene was GER
hinly one to crafty the pride of :,
resident of the town or valley, and
arouse the admiration of the stranger
Unfamiliar with the possibilities OF the
soil Of this locality. And in the dis
plays and the tasty manner of ar
iangement to the very best advantage,
i was obvious tC the beholder that
nose who had entries on exhibit hh
gone to much care and trouble in ore
pairing booths and arranging The goods
and products 10 show them off to the
nest advantage The hall was DrO-
iusely decorated and lighted at night.
giving the fair holiday appearance.
Besides the general exhibits the ladies
had several booths devoted to amllSe-
ments, or attractions to which small
adnittance charge vas made, adding
!ne side show features so commonly
10 evidence at county fairs.
The attendance Friday afternoon
and evening was large, although prin-
clpally made up OF town people, con-
uhu0us stream of humanity steadily
coming and going. Everybody was in
nleh spirits, and the good naturcl
mrong jostled and elbOwed a way
through the building, closely examin-
ing the exhibits and favorably COM
mentlng on th1displays. Originally
was the intention to hold the falr
but one afternoon and evening, but at
me earnest solicitation of the business
men the doors were continued open
saturday and Saturday night. Thls
snange OF program was not generallT
nnown, especially in the country, anu
me attendance Saturday was far from
xlat was anticipated.
VI course the exposition was not Oh
nat |. large scale, covering every line IN
ue way OF products, manufactured
atucies and live stock that one eX
pects to see at an old established
Sate, district or county fair. Inc
'nort notice of the proposed fair pre-
uuued preparation for general ana
sxtensive exhibit, but what was col
.scted together within the short time
.uat elapsed from the announcement
~ Ast fair was to be held to the open
.ns Gay was far greater in amount and
superlor in quantity than could nave
veen expected. Indeed, the fruit ani
vegetable displays, taking the amount
eAniDlted, was equal if not superior 10
= ssaything of like kind that is to be seen
=, majority of the county fairs hala
= tne state. 1t must be taken INTO
that the fruit and vege-
ssoies brought in were gathered haN-
- ssAard from the ranches and orchard
uscts, and were average specimens OF
ma rnat the soil OF this locality produces.
Usually when land owners decide 10
~ ssvuipete for prizes at fair they care
.sslv - cultivate and nurse special SAM
~ OF products, forcing their growth
~ me utmost. Such displays are eX-
ssnepuons to the rule. In the case OF
~ sae oroville fair the products brought
I've. = were such as had grown naturally,
s,Vut T,unout care and attention. They were
simply the general run of products rs
sh s%hsrketed from day to- day. Some or
~ vegetables were of enormous size,
sau tne quality was i'm no wise az