The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-06
1t was more than a blaze OF glory

1t was more than blaze Of glory
glare, accompanied by bursting
sounds. which fairly shook the earth
that closed the opening day Of the
Virginia State fair last night The
fireworks display, the most brilliant
ever seen in Richmond. closing the
fair associations opening day pro-
gram. was a spectacle worth going
great distances to see. and one that
on each night will well repay poo
pie for making night visit to the
biggest and best fair the association
has ever presented.
While the fair opened yesterday
morning in a drizzling rain. and
there were overcast skies until nearly
nightfall the size OF the crowd was
good, numbering between 5000 and
G,000. and fair officials are optimiD-
tic of steadily increased attendances
during the remaining five days Of
the fair. There was everything that
could be imagined to keep the wish
tors busy, whether their object in go
ing to the fair was to seek amuse-s
ment or instruction. Both, In the
fullest measure possible. is afforded.
There are so many things to BE-
seen that the person who would
thoroughly do the fair must spend
much time about it. A full day ~
least will be required. The free at
fractions are of higher quality than
ever before. The midway Is bright-
er. The stock exhibits are larger.
Industrial hall is crowded with =.
eide variety of offerings. The farm
machinery department Is filled. Poui-
try and farm and womens work de-
rartments are more representative OF
the wealth Virginia On the
whole the fair is really better. big
ger and cleaner than ever, and IT -
doubtful If there can be found any
where in the country, State expo
sition of a higher character.
Weather Was Only Drawback.
The only thing to mar the open
ing was the weather. While tni8
was not entirely bad. there being
sc me sunshine later in the day. as the
clouds broke away, and clear moon
light last night, it was SUFFICIENT -
keep down the attendance to at leaM
one-fourth of what the opening DAY
OF such a fair should have produced.
The absence Of the bar on the TAFT
grounds this year Is one OF the agree
able features. During the entire gay
there was a marked absence OF th0s
evidences of men having been indulge
ing in drink. Another usual adjunct
of many similar expositions-the gam
ing devices, the little wheel OF for-
tune" on which dimes and quarters are
lost by those, who can i'll AFFORD 81
lose, in the hope OF perhaps Quadrup7
ling their money. and the dice turninG
CONFERENCE.-The also absent The rAir
association is determined to put forth
their best efforts TO give the people
of Virginia clean show throughOux
fair that all persons may attend
without fear OF meeting offense OF any
sort. and it Is succeeding.
The midway shows are OF CHAR
acter way above the ordinary run "a
the midway Each OF the shows - ciean
and nothing offensive to the most SON.
sitive Is permitted on the grounds
Racing Card Of High Order.
The racing card Is OF high order, thAs
program calling daily for light hax<s
ness events and running and 1umptmm
races In which purses are large encuE
to attract to Richmond the best horoAMs
In the world. The lover Of clean hcfr
racing-the sport Of kings-is cert45Na
to be satisfied with the daily omertM
Though the track was somewhat 49, IA
dy and the going heavy yesterdAys N
races were run on In gnod ttp4 l "
splendid sport $3.50 haxnieMN& 5afS
For th0ae persopg Wno M ~ \