Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-07-26
open FAIRGROUNDS
Efforts of Waterville
Public Spirited People
Realized in Wednes-
days Program


.Waterville's Fairgrounds for which
the people of the city and particularly
the Waterville Woman's Club, have
been working for number of years,
were opened to the public Wednesday
afternoon with appropriate ceremonies.
The exercises were in charge OF d.
rector Mcneil and consisted of a pa
rade, music by the Waterville Mill
tary Band. a flag raising and address
es by a number of the prominent cltl-
zens of the city. Following the eX-
orcises the grounds were thrown open
to the hundreds of little ones who
we're in attendance and the larger part
of those who had been present at the
exercises remained to see them enjoy
the various methods of play.
The afternoons program started
with a parade of children led by the
Boy Scouts of the city and the Wat
erville Military Band and with a pla-
toon Of police in charge of Headquar-
ters Officer Harold =. Davis. The pa
radc moved promptly from the post Of
fee at 80 and proceeded down Elm
street TO Winter and thence across
tho footbridge to the grounds, Where 1t
was dismissed. After a couple of Sc
lections by the band tho asSemblage
was gathered at one side of the field
and "Thc Battle Hymn of the Repuh-
lie" was sung by all present, led by
Rev F. "A. A. Killam of Oakland. Pray
er was offered by Rev. J. Nj. Arters
of the Pleasant Street Methodist
church The flag was then raised by
j. r. Mitchell. while the band play
ed and the children sang The Star
Spanglcd Banner" and with single
exception every man on the field stood
with barred head.
The first address Of the afternoon
was by Mayor Ora A. Meader, who
expressed his pleasure at the open
ing of the grounds. declared that the
city would do its share in seeing that
they were taken care of and was sure
that they would be conducted in such
a way that they would be a great
source of pleasure to the little people
of the city. He was given three rous-
ing cheers al the close Of his speech.
Mr.. and Mrs. Boothby
Mr. Mcneil then introduced Mr.. and
Mrs. F. +. Boothby as the two people
in the city who had done as much or
more than any others for the opening
of the Fairgrounds of the city. They
were given round Of cheers and then
. Mr. Boothby addressed those present
briefly telling of his pleasure al the
opening of the grounds and his belief
that they would prove to be one of the
hest things for the city that had ever
been started here.
The next speaker was Rev Charles F.
Robinson of the Temple street Congre-
gational church. Mr.. Robinson spoke
of the advantages of the grounds a
place for the children of the city to
come and of the fun that the little
ones should be able to have there.
Hon. Horace Purinton was called upon
and declared that it was with great
deal Of pleasure that he the
grounds opened and that he was certain
that they would be of great value.
Superintendent of Schools Charles n.
Perkins was called on and said that he
came to look on. not to talk, but that
he was pleased to give his approval to
the work that was in progress and that
he believed that it would result in MAX
ing all of the children who used the
grounds better and happier boys and
girls,
Rev. J. M. Arters
The last speaker of the afternoon was
Rev. j. NJ. Artcrs Of the Methodist
church, who addressed the little ones
in a very pleasing way, told them of the
pleasure that the older children Of
which he was one watched them at play.
said that he hoped every one of them
would be good and mind those in
charge, and that the grownups were
coming out to play with them some
times. America was played by the band
end sung by. tho children and the cx-
crcises closed with the Lords prayer
lcd by Rcv. Frank H. Stedman of the
ST Marks Episcopal church.
The young folks were then introduced
to their instructor, George Beach, whom
Mr.. Mcneil chara cterized as a very bash
full man hut one who knew his business
and who would see that everyone was
given the best possible time He pointed
him out to the children as he stood well
at the hack of the crowd. and advised
the children to all go up and introduce
themselves to him as soon as possible. ad-
vice upon which they took full action.
Children Play
! Following the completion If the pro-
gram the larger part of the hundreds
who had been present remained to watch
the children al play. They were certainly
having a fine time with the swings, the
merry -go-rounds, the slides. the see-saws
and the various other things which have
been placed there to interest and amuse
The little folks found a couple of large
sand boxes conveniently placed so that
they could have all the sand they wished
to play in and it was of the very best.
The slides seemed to attract the most at
tention on account of their newncss and
q long line of little folks was constant
ly on the GO over them. The basketball
court, the croquet grounds and the run
ming track are all ready for use and there
is plenty of room for baseball If the bows
wish to play. The swimming ropl is prac-
tically ready and every effort has been
made to guard against any possibility OF
accident there Two large tanks have
I heen constructed. In one the water is
eight feet deep and it is for the boys and
girls who are able to swim. In the other
the water is not over four feet in depth