Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-15
WHAT OF FUTURE
OF OLD KENNEBEC
COUNTY FAIR?


The Kennebec County Fair, or as 1t
is very often called, the Readfield Fair,
because its home has been in Readf1eld
for so many years, is said to be the old
est institution of it's kind in the United
States.
For more than 80 years 1t had an
honorable and useful existence, holding
it's annual meetings in the earlier part
of it's life at various points in Kenne-
bee County and at one time the fair
was held on the State House grounds
at Augusta. For nearly fifty years,
however, its home had been in Read
field where it occupied comfortable
and convenient quarters on it's grounds
only IA of a mile from Readfleld Cor
ner. Like all institutions Of its kind,
it had its ups and downs until about
1910 when it's officers, becoming faint
hearted decided to suspend the annual
show for that year.
This decision on the part of the Of
fetal board did not meet with the ap-
PAONoi VA IAS A1AoJOAAty Va SiAS AAiSAAASSA -
Of the society, nor to other interested
patrons in different parts Of the county.
These persons became actively inter-
ested in the society, the majority of the
old official board resigned and were
succeeded by the first named persons,
and the old society took on new life.
This transformation took place only
six weeks before the date Of its annual
show, yet, in spite Of the fact that no
plans had been made for the fair, the
fair was held on schedule time with
splendid exhibits, fine weather and
large attendance. When all bills had
been paid for that seasons exhibit,
balance Of 5000 was left to apply on its
old debt which was very gratifying to
those in charge. The same manage
ment continued for the next two years
with practically the same results and
the old debt Of s1,so0, which had been
the chief cause of "heart-failure" on
the part of the old official board, was
being gradually wiped out, when the
owner of the land from whom the So
ciety had leased it's ground for long
period of years, suddenly took posses
sion Of the fair grounds, claiming for
fixture of the lease because the fence
surrounding the grounds was not main
tanned by the society in accordance
with the terms Of the lease.
This act forced the Society to seek
temporary quarters elsewhere and the
next annual fair was held on the old
trotting park at Augusta by invitation
Of interested Augusta people. Bad
weather prevailed, the receipts by rea-
son thereof were not sufficient to pay
the bills and the society was forced into
bankruptcy and NJ. S. Holway of Au-
gusta was appointed trustee.
The owner OF the land, ]. Warren
Butman, claimed the buildings on the
land as we'll as forfeiture of the lease
so Trustee Holway was obliged to
bring an action against Mr.. Butman
for a judicial Interpretation Of the
rights of the respective parties and
this action was referred to Mr.. Justice
Cornish, who, after due hearing, sus-
tanned the contention Of Mr.. HolWay
and the directorate Of the Society that
Mr.. Butman by acts and deeds had
waived the conditions of the lease re-
lating to the fence, and decreed that
the grounds be restored to the posses
sion of Trustee Holway and this has
been done.
Mr.. Holway must close up his duties
as trustee at an early date and the
buildings must be sold. The question
of great interest to the former fair
management and to the patrons of the
fair is, Shall the buildings be sold to
some person or persons and be razed
for what lumber there is in them, or
shall a new association be formed
which will take over the lease and
other property Of the old association
and revive the fair next year? Just
what the cost would be is not quite
certain but probably less than $500.
Readfield Fair is time honored in
stitution in western Kennebec county
and the failure to hold the affair on
the home grounds has been a source
Of great regret to hundreds Of patrons
who have been annual visitors. Are
these patrons sufficiently interested to
assist in recognizing the society and
continue the fair as heretofore when
the cost of reorganization will not be
more than $500? 1t has been suggested
that the Oranges in the county which
are within the Jurisdiction Of the soci-
ETY. consider the matter at an early
date and if the Grange or its individu-
al members thereof desire to continue
the fair and will assist that they at
once enter into communication with
Readfield Grange or to E. E. Peacock,
the president Of the old organization.
Prompt action will insure the continu-
ance of the Readfield Fair.
Children Crv