The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-11
BIG FAIR VISITED
BY THOUSANDS OF
VIRGINIA FARMERS
They View the Exhibits, See
the Shows and Enjoy a
Picnic on Grounds
GLORIOUS WEATHER
DRAWS THE CROWDS
Suns Rays Uncomfortable
and Dust Annoying, But
Everybody Has Good Time.
This Is Petersburg's Day

AAA0 ~ = SA@A SDak = ~
From every section of Virginia yes
terday sturdy tiliers OF the soil jour
neyed to Richmond and the State fair.
Early morning trains from every di-
rection were packed and damned with
farmers and their wives and daugh-
tiers, and thousands from adjoining
counties used automobiles and bug
Eies. Estimates OF the gatemen In the
midafternoon placed the attendance at
$4,000. and over SO per cent of this
number were out-of-town VISITORS.
1t was farmers day at the fair anu
the casual visitor need not have been
informed of that fact--it was appar-
emit Sections OF the big exposition en-
closure resembled county picnic on
a large scale. The farmers AMI their
families bivouacked on the lawns out
side Industrial Hall or In the shade
of the trees behind the Midway. Many
brought their eats" with them, but
most of them secured supplies from
the lunch stands and repaired II more
sequestered hooks, truly rural fashion,
To enjoy tffs refsasts a'"' 't5s
There was a noticeable difference,
too. in the day atmosphere II the
midway--the crowds patronized the
shows and the skin games literally
and enjoyed Themselves as thoroughly.
as have preceding throngs of pleasure
seekers that sought the merry merry,
but they moved slower and were. quiet
err. There was not the air OF hilarsty
and boistereusness that usually char
acterixes the stroliers along Wahoo
Lane. There was noticeable increase.
TOO. in the patronage Of the farm
products buildings. horticultural hall.
tho farm machinery department and
the stock exhibits--those were the
shinxS the country cousins came to
see---m0nt as them. and they didn't
neglect the educational features OF the
big fair for amusements. IN In char
acterfstic Of the city crowds. BY night
fall the majority Of the rural visitors
had enough fair for one time, and the
crowds from the city going out to
spend the evening at the big fair, los
tied against their country cousins
homew-ard bound. weary and dusty.
but happy. and with fund Of recol-
lection OF pleasansly-spen day that
will linger long in memory.
Hon and Dusty.
II was hot and dry and dusty. The
scorching rays OF the sun beat pitt
lessly upon the throngs of pleasure
seekers the parched earth. pulverfzed
by the tramp Of multttudes on the
thoroughfares IN the enclosure. rose
in fioury pufTs at every football, at
times aIASost ohscuring the vision.
Precipitation trickled in rivulets down
the dust begrimed faces of spielers
as their blatant tones barked their
wares. but everybody was in good
humor and nobody cared. What
would fair be without DUST
II was comfortable. honey
crowd. in striking and pieasureaeIe
contrast TO the surging mass of hn-
mainly that iammed the enclosure al
most OF suffocatton the preceding
day. Everybody could see everything
that was going on and there was room
for everybody everywhere, with no
- 8 sa4.-AFisse eaf&Asfiota----
The races were fine: the big free
= shows in the os1ef at their best and
everything moved like ciockwork. For
the benefit of the rural visitors the
stock parade of Tuesday was repeat
ell. and the great display OF big
percherons and prancing Arabian
steeds was one OF the sights that de-
lighted the farmers hearts. The
aeronautic stunts yesterday were par
ticuiarIy good. due largely 10 the dry.
still atmosphere. Professor Hutch
Icons daring corps Of sky-cleavers
gave several thrilling exhibitions the
eight parachute combination drop
forming the most awe-inspfring spec
tscie on the program
II was great .aay, for the 'cean-
try cousin: he saw a medley of
amusements rivalling any frst-class
circus: examined the big pumpkins,
the prize apples and the blue ribbon
stock Of His neighbor. and disported
himself on Wahoo Lane. where mfrth
and reveiry reign. He was entertain
ed. amused and instructed, wined and
dined: he found everything at the big
state fair that heart could wish ex-
cept red lensonadsA.~-thep peanuts were
there. but the highly coIored bever-
are made famous In song and story
was not provided. The inventor of
the concoction recently passed In his
checks and out Of respect TO his
memory the Fair association refused
to want this concession.
The fair management has been SER
aousiy considering the plan Of award
inr Farmer Evans blue ribbon for
the glorious weather furnished for
the present fair, but are deferred by
reason Of a suspicion that the dispen-
ser OF the elements In these parts has
been four-inshinK to some extent
TUESDAY he predicted moisture that
didn't reach here and he made SIM
liar stall last night with a forecast Of
sprobable rain Friday" This morn
inr. however, the prediction Is fair"
This IN Petersburg day In the light
Of the fact that Mayor Cameron has
proclaimed it legat holiday. and that
the schools and stores will close in
obedience to his wishes. il Ii confident
iy expected that many thousands Of
the good people OF the Cockade city