The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-09
STATE FAIR SHOWS
FAR BETTER THAN EVER
Pulled on by Intrepid Per-
formers.
TRAINED PIGS MAKE HIT.
Fireworks Prove Spectacular. and
Lady Aeronaut Makes Safe Land"
Ing from Dizzy Height.
BY HARRY TUCKER.

You may talk about the Panama
exposition. the Worlds fair, the Paris
exposition. the jamestown exposition,
and Barnum's circus, but in the same
breath you wl!!l have to do justice to
yourself and say something about the
collection of shows At the state fair
Some OF the expositions referred to
may nave had more attractions and
more dazzling accessories, and there
may have been larger aggregations of
dancers and acrobats, but, taking II
without prejudice, 1t must be admit
tea that the shows at the fair rank
away up with those presented here
IN previous years, and stand out as
being fit TO be gazed upon by even
the most prudish Of critics
And yet some OF the best are yet to
come. Three of the biggest and most
sensational features were unable to
pl esent themselves yesterday at eth
or performance. simply because. in
the congested condition of traffic. their
paraphernalia had been side-tracked
and could not get here before this
morning. II this announcement had
not been made. the public. at least
that part or 1t that enjoyed the per-
Iormances yesterday would not have
known tnat there is still better in store
and would have been Just as we'll sat
ished. For the man who is not giver
a sufticiency OF thrills, laughs and en-
tertainment otherwise by the program
as given even In its incomplete form
Yesterday. Will not be satisfied at any
thing. and he will need to seek other
CHIMES Tor his mental relaxation.
From the opening concert of ma
trlotlc melodies by Kessnich's bard, to
the last song Of the sweet singer. nor
10 mention the act of the remark
aely clever trained pigs, there is
one continuous round OF laughter and
applause.
The hainly spring-like atmosphere
At the fair grounds early YESTERDAY.
was rudelv sha tered late in the even
Ing by old Boreas who entered into
a contest with old Sol The early
nlrds at the fair. who had settled
themselves down for a full day and
evening, soon sought comfort indoors.
and many overcoats were brought out
from the Compton ball atmosphere
Then the gale, of milder cast than
that Of last Friday. swept the grounds
and raised the dust. and frieidity
reigned until the last torpedo was
fiered by the U-boat and the last
bally-hoo was sung by the stentorian
voices along Wahoo lane. All this
initiated against the attendance last
night. and the wind interfered large
~ with the proper presentation of the
pyrotechnic display although even az
that the display was a very fine one.
The act on the stage in front OF
the grandstand which drew the most
laughter and applause WAS that given
hv LII kerslake and his trained pigs.
These pigs displayed more intelligence
than some human hogs we have seen.
And so excrutiatingly were the antics
Of the little black speckled porker
that at times the crowd ca lied for
an encore. IT is safe to say that a
pound OF pork from any OF these lit
tie animals would cost more then
thirty cents, the price now being
charged by the butcher.
companion feature to this is the
animal circus given on the adjoining
stage. Almost every kind of domestic
animal takes part in this. act which is
specially appealing to the children.
Probably the most thrilling gymnas-
| tic act seen here for many years 81 its
kind is that by the seven Mangeans
One feature Is somersault by two
men at one and the same time as the
aEraaas@T ssss&. which proves i,aaae5i a.
thriller. One of the men wraps him
self around the shoulders OF the other
and the,' turn a complete somersault
in this fashion.
The four Campbells present many
sensational efforts on the horizontal
bars bringing the. audience to it's feet
time after time. A feature OF this act
, is the loop the loop somersault hv
one of the men. whose turn looks al
most suicidal.
/ The four Portia sisters present a
/ number of startling equflibrfstic stunts.
4 causing much wonder and applause.
while the diving girls evolute into the
limpid tank with the grace Of swans.
Perhaps the most artistic act of all
Is that presented by the Karsakoff
Russian ballet, half dozen women and
almost agile man. This act is a com
hination of the old-time ballet with
all the modern Accomplishments. and
some from the war-awav Orient The
music Is specia1lv designed and tho
+ troupe carries its own leader.
/ Lucielle Belmont. a dainty creature
with more nerve than most women dis
play, drops from the clouds by means
OF parachute. bringing out from the
women many cries of oh oh"
All down the midway are attractions
enough TO take full week to proper
ly enjoy. All the old freaks are here.