The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-11-19
OUR ANNUAL
EXPOSITION
Marion County Fair Opened With
Unusually Large Attendance and
Exhibits this Morning

The eleventh Marion County Fair
opened tits gates this morning with
probably a record attendance. and
more exhibits than it has had on the
first day for several years.
The Star reporter went out shortly
before ten O'Clock and found the
buildings and grounds lively. The
show people We're setting up their at
fractions and the exhibitors were put
ting their goods in shape, and the
first trickling stream of visitors rap
idly grew to good-sized current.
A look around showed there was no
reason to doubt there would be good
stock Of exhibits. The agricultural
building was filling up, there being
already nearly as much in it as there
was last year. The stock yards were
more than half filled with cattle,
horses and hogs. and more coming in.
There is big Improvement in the
household Department. door open
ing into the street, so people can go
thru it instead of milling around and
crowding past others when they try
to go out. This improvement should
have been made years ago.
The teachers have taken possession
Of the building formerly given to the
women's department and are filling it
with specimens of the skill of their
scholars.
The colored people are on hand
with two buildings filled, one with in
L.
tural products. They have enough
for goodsized fair of their own.
The poultry show this year is in
the old machinery hall under the
grandstand. A casual glance showed
that there was a large number Of
very pretty birds.
For the first time, there is no resi-
taurant on the fair grounds. The
usual hangers on that follow the
shows have put up some eating
stands and the reporter was told that
they are charging fierce prices. There
is no need to put up with any eA-
actions h0wever. The Woman's Club
has lunch stand in the corner OF the
rest room and is selling good line of
appetizing lunches at very reasonable
prices. Mrs. Mamie has a re-
freshment stand in the building oc-
cupied for the last few years by
Gerig's drugstore, and has sodawater,
ice cream and other goods in that
line at the same prices charged up
town. Some of the scolored people
have set up lunch stands in odd cor
ners and are selling substantial
lunches at the usual prices. If the
foreigners are trying to gouge, stay
away from them.
The rest room, presided over by a
committee from the Woman's Club, is
in splendid shape, and is going to be
a great comfort to the weary visitors.
The show people had not put half
their paraphernalia up when the gates
opened, but it is easy to see they will
have greater attractions than ever
before. The grounds will be open
every night and visitors may be- sure
of lots of fun.
Among the early arrivals was Com
missioner of Agriculture w. A. Nc
Rae, who is here not only to see the
fair but to aid our farmers in raising
Sea Island cotton, which is going to
be more important product than
ever. Mr.. McRae is much at home in
Marion county. He went out in
Capt. Tom Bridges car, walked in
sans ceremony and began viewing the
stock and other exhibits like an ex-
pert.
As the reporter came back to town
at 1915 he met a constant stream of
people on foot and scores of loaded
autoes going out. The intended par
ade did not materiaize, people just
went.
The weather is fine and there is a
good outlook for very 4 successful
fair.
BLAZE IN BRISTOL