The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-13
SPtEOERS FEATURE

CONTINUED From First Page.)
! judge must have felt happy in look
! ing over this BOOTH" continued Mr.
Harrison. He passed among the
, others and had complimentary re-
marks to make of them all
! THE judges have reached the con-
cIusion." said Manager Saunders, that
/ the farm exhibits OF this year are
so far ahead of any we have ever had
! that It would be Just to compare the
! fourth prize-winning display OF this
/ year with the first winner of last year.
| This statement goes without contra
! diction, according to the Judges them
, selves. 1t shows. S was said by Man
! ager Saunders. that the farmers
! worked harder and improved their
! methods more during the past year. II
! also shows that the hints and sugges-
I lions of the government experts, that
| all endeavor to excel IN efficiency had
/ had IT'S effect.
Big Friday Attendance.
Headquarters officials stated last
night that the attendance for the day
/ more than eQuall4d that Of Friday OF
last year despite the heavy afternoon
rain. Thousands who had hoped to
witness the automobile races were
! disappointed, but there was no help
| for It. The shows were given. how
ever the trick pigs and the diving
girls particularly enjoying the battle
of the elements.
And then, after Jupiter Pluvius had
everything his own way for two or
three hours, his old enemy Old Sol
got back in the game and smiled beau
TRULY over the damp and muddy vista
If II had been possible. 1t is likely that
Fair Luna might have taken part in
Ea p-l ALI
stars shining all over the armament,
several thousand people went out last
night TO Join the other thousands on
the grounds to see the beautiful pyro-
= technic display, AID revel along Wahoo
/, lane,
= Philosophical Crowd.
. The crowd In the grandstand dur
: ing the. rain took things good ma
turedly. It is understood that the fair
management had he hand In control
ing the elements. and thousands Just
sat and griunsd, while the free show
performers did their best out on the
l. stages in the arena, with the rain
= peltng down upon them. The va
q rious acts were repeatedly encored
! not altogether for the nAerft which
they carried, but for their plucky
stick at-itness which they displayed
4 in their efforts to keep the crowd In
r good humor.
Kessnich and is band of solists took
refuge in the grandstand, from whief
], place of comfort. they footed tAgougl
the whole concert program. even go
| ing so far rs to play Il waltz while
the animals were performing, Instead
Of the old elephant glide
Auto Races Called or.
In the meantime the automobiI,
= men were holding "A consultation IL
the Judges stand The starter de
clared he would not permit the driv
"a ere TO go blindly into danger by at
4 tempting to race in the slippery ant
n slushy track. The drivers didn't care
They were willing to takc chances
3 but the com mittee, consisting of Rol
Il Airport. Claude Batkins and Crei,
Y Pelouze, put their feet down upon tn
j suggestion not being willing to be
come parties TO what might hav
tunred itself into a tragedy, and tn
g. races were called off. much to tn
n disappointment of the multitude, bu
also to The relief of those in the GROVE
!, who felt that accidents, would follow
X an attempt to ride on such a track
y According to track experts. with M
,. more rain. tho track Will be In tip
:, top condition for the various events
| this afternoon,
q The rain disappointed Director Spill
3 man. He wanted the crowd TO see tn,
Il wonderful prize winners In the stool
h ceiored ribbons, and had arranged fol-
a n parade around the track. He will
s. make the effort to pull off this in
teresting show this afternoon.
= Crowds Midway.
Despite the rain during the CRATER
: part of the afternoon. the midway at
I fractions drew large crowds. and the
siamese twins. the fat girl and this
others contributed their share OF won
) derment to the seekers of novelty. The
various amusement devices were wei
I patronized. and the baby booths and
Y the Teddy bear stands were kept busy
a while their attendants handed around
t the Joys FOR the youthful mem bers Of
the household
While this is getaway" day, the
entire SOW will continue to midnight
= tonight. and II was announced by the
t management that every one Of the
I free shows. as we'll as the fireworks
I would be given today and tonight as
S usual
, Owing TO the fact that today is a
/ half-holiday. the manager expects
-fnllX- as great attendance as-tty,or
. Thursday and, considering that many
people who had planned to visit the
!, fair on Tuesday and on Friday and
D were kept away by the rain. there is
some reason for believing that the at
, tendance will break the record for a
7 Saturday. The automobile races in
themselves will prove a great draw
Ing card. and then the free shows, the
splendid fair exhibits, and the ire
. sietible charm Of the sawdust and
and confetti along the midway will
draw many people for a last look at
. tie fair OF 1917.