Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-08
STATE FAIR OPENS
ITS GATES TODAY
Twelfth Exhibition to Be Larg-
est and Best of Series
Held Here.
EXHIBITS ALREADY IN PLACE
Many More Horses Here for
Races Than in Previous
Years.
EXHIBITS ALREADY IN PLACE

morning Of the twelfth annual show
of the Virginia State Fair Association,
with Indications pointing to the great
est and most successful exhibition In
the history Of Virginia. Several train
loads OF live stock arrived at the
grounds shortly before midnight, COM
pleting the exhibits, and these will
me quickly placed this morning. Prep
arations for the fair were far more
complete last night for the opening
than in any previous year, while the
exhibits were far greater In number.
Workmen labored through yesterday
putting OH the finishing touches, and
when night fell there remained little
or no work to be done. In fact, from
all general appearances. the fair was
already In progress. All the exhibition
buildings were SLED and ready for the
opening. the overflow Of live stock was
quartered In sheds. the Midway for its
entire length was complete. the racing
stables were quartered near the grand
stand and In other parts Of the grounds,
and the vaudeville artists were ready
for their opening performance in front
Of the grand stand this afternoon.
GATES OPEN This
MORNING AT $40 O'CLOCK
With the opening OF the gates this
morning at S:30 o'clock. Fairfax Har-
rtson. president OF the Fair Association,
VIII declare the twelfth annual ex-
hibition formally opened The pro-
gram to-day. which has been desig-
mated as opening and general sightsee-
Ing day, includes band concert in the
Administration Hiding a. 1890
o'clock by kessnich's Municipal Band,
with singing by Driscoll. Wood ana
Davies. The exhibition building will
be thrown open at O'Clock, while the
Midway Will begin operation at IL
o'clock.
With tho opening of the vaudeville
performance and m!d-air shows on the
two huge stages in front of the grand
stand at 1 o'clock. the afternoon pro-
gram will be carried through with a
rush. Racing will begin at this hour,
and there were q number of entries
made last night for the various events.
The stables this yeay are the largest
and have the finest stock of any seen
In Virginia in recent yeas.
AT o'clock there VIII be a fr..
concert in front OF the grand stand.
both vocal and instrumental. with tn.
Lucielle Belmont aerial act at O'Clock.
The crowds will then move to the
Midway. and at 8 o'clock the night
performance will be opened with spe-
cialty acts In front OF the grand stand
The fireworks. which are expected to
surpass all previous efforts will begin
at 10 o'clock. while the Midway will
remain open until nearly midnight
MOST OF THE EXHIBITS
ARE ALREADY IN PLACE
The congested condition of the rail-
roads operated both to good and bad
ends. Many of the exhibits and much
show equipment arrived at the grounds
many hours earlier than in previous
years. and had been placed yesterday
afternoon. On the other hand. there
were several lots of poultry and live
stock which did not reach Richmond
until shortly before midnight. Be-
cause of congested conditions. there
is also heavier exhibits this year, be-
cause many exhibitors were forced to
send their entire showing to Richmond
In order to move from other fairs last
week.
The Midway and Ballyhoo Lane has
been completely oiled. and a heavy
top coat Of gravel has been spread.
Officials believe this will prevent prac-
tically all dust. and in event of rain
there VIII be no mud. Nearly all OF
the amusements on the Midway were
in place last night. and Srose not
finished were being rapidly completed
Linemen of the Virginia Railway and
Power Company were stringing wires
and installing electric lights through
out the afternoon and night, and the
work continued under electric lights
The Midway is much larger this year
than last, and is packed with amuse-
ments Of every kind and description
its entire length. The records in the
department of concessions show that
the number Of shows Is much larger
than in other years.
MANY ENTRIES IN
THE RACING EVENTS
Officials OF the fair are especially
gratif1ed over the many entries in the
racing events. More than 24O horses
have been brought to Richmond for
the week. while last year there were
only about ninety. The quarters as
signed 20 the racing stables were found
insufficient to house them. and other
other buildings was secured. and af-
ter conference, officers of the fair
said that probably space In the South
ern Stock Yards would be necessary
for the week. The yards are only
short distance from the grounds, and
the horses may be easily brought over
before the races in the afternoon.
There Is also more cattle than ever
before In the history OF the fair The
exhibits come from all sections Of Vir-
ginia. and from Maryland. Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey. Space allotted
to these exhibits was also not 3uf-
fcient, and other arrangements were
made. Last night many cows were
quartered in long sheds near the cat
tie building. The sheep and swine ex-
hibits had not been placed yesterday
afternoon. but will be I'm readiness
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