The Press., 1917-10-18
The Fair
A Great Success in Spite of Bad
 Conditions.

Stafford is very fortunate generally in having good weather and was fortunate this year that it was no worse. On the opening day, Wednes- day, although the rain held off until night, the weather was so threatening that it affected the first days attend- ance quite little. Thursday morn ing it was raining hard and every. thing was postponed. Friday was a pleasant day, but rather cold, and the attendance was large, but not quite equal to the big day of last year Fvi- day night it rained hard and the out look for fair day on Saturday was dubious, but early Saturday morning the sun came out clear and warmer. The track was in a bad condition but work was started on it early, and with the help of many auto mobiles continually cirOling the track it was in a fair condition for the races by o'clock. There was good third .day's attendance.
 The miserable service of the Central Vermont kept many from the fair. The railroad officials refused to run the usual extra trains and did not provide enough extra cars on the regular trains. Besides this the trains as usual were nearly all behind time, some very late.
 In spite of all the handicaps the fair was a success as the visitors were much pleased with all the features of the fair.
 The vaudeville acts were all pleas ing and entertaining. Early Friday afternoon the wood work holding up the highest part of the "Loop the Loop,' used by DiavOlo in his sensational bicycle act was blown down by the strong wind. It was very fortunate that this happened without injuring any person or damaging any of che numerous auto ' mobiles parked within a few feet of the structure. This prevented DiavolO1 giving his act on Friday. The structure was erected again on Satur- day morning enabling him to give his act that day.
 At this time it is impossible t0I state the financial success of the fair but it is thought that the association will break about even and possibly make 8 little money. The midway was the largest in the history of the association, occupying larger section, including many side-shows and eating booths. The state police were on h and and closed up several gambling devises and drove the operators from the grounds. These persons would rent the stands for purposes allowed on the grounds and as soon as an opportunity come would change them to gambling devices.
 The hall exhibits were excellent. The large displays of farm products by E. l.. DimOOk, Seth SGhofeld, o. K. Driggs and W. M. Clark of Vernon attracted much attention. It was hard for one not an expert to decide which one was the best. The judges deciding on the various merits of the displays awarded first premium of $2O to MT. Driggs, second of $1O to Seth Schofield, and third of $5 to L. E. Dimook. L.. E. Dimock has entered 8 protest which will hold mp the paying of these premiums until the annual meeting of the, society to
 be held in January. The fine dis plays of apples of A. B. Howard &
 Son and c. R. Green of Belchertown and W. H. Atkins of Amherst made 6
 handsome sight.
 The Holland County boys and girls club made fine exhibit. There was
 the usual excellent display of fancy
 work by the ladies. There was 6 good exhibit of cattle, blooded stock
 and as usual President Hall had the
 cattle lined up before the grand stand
 and presented the owners a Ons-dOllal bill for each pair of cattle or steers } There were 57 pairs. The society fair dinner in the new exhibition
 building, under the management of O. E. Richardson, was we'll patronize( and as usual was much appreciated by the hungry patrons. On aocoun of the unusual high prices this yea the society will run behind on theil dinner, but the officers consider thil one of attractions of the fair as thos' attending are sure of securing a gOoG dinner at a reasonable price.
 Colts band of Hartford furnishe' the music and on Friday the Talcott vile drum crop was present and gav an exhibition on the track. The looa boy scouts gave a good acrobatic ex hibitiOn on the stage and a drill oI the track. On Saturday afternoon Presiden Hall introduced Harry G. Smith editor of the Rockville leader, whC made short patriotic address on tn needs of the hour and the demand that must be met by all in thes strenuous times. At the close of hi remarks he recited the poem on tn ! flag. The band then played thu Star Spangled Banner and tn crowd joined in singing
 Although the track was a littl heavy racing was fast and close. Ol Saturday in the 2. IA pace Baron Atl in the last heat made the mile il 2. 1O4, only three quarters of secon slower than the track record. Th
 same day in the free.for.all Ere, Russell raced two heats in III flat The summary of the races follow: Woamesday
 hI 2:lG Pace-0AOO
 Andy Ashland, b. 6.