Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-09-02
THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
FLYING CIRCUS CAPTIV-
ATED LARGE CROWD

Never in the history of the fairs O
Marathon county has the weather beer
so favorable for such an annual even
as was dealt out by the weather mar
from the 26th to the 2Sth of Augtist
inclusive. There was a gentle breezt
from the west on those days which
presaged clear weather and it came
without cloud and was warm enough
TO suit the most eXacting, and yet, not
too warm, except when one was com
PEELED to stand or sit in the sunshine
The roads were in excellent condi-
ttOn in consequence of the dry spell
and auto owners were enabled to come
from every part of the county, from
adjoining cities, and some came hun
dreds OF miles to see the brand OF
a fair handed out by an agricultural
society. They came, were delighted
and like all who came, were loud in
their praises of the entertainment fur
nished, not only in the special at
fractions, but in the splendid displays
made in every department. The
weather man failed us on Friday. the
last day and it was dark and cloudy
until noon.
This year, while the farm produce
was excellent, the display was not as
large as in former years, owing to the
early date of the fair To get the
best results along this line, the fair
should be held about two weeks later
The display of grains, of dairy pro-
ducts, of live stock, poultry etc. was
equal to that of county fairs in Wis
consin.
The merchants had their usual fine
exhibitions, taking great pride in dis
playing their goods in an attractive
manner.
The midway was attractive and in
viting to the average attendant. The
ry-go-rOund, ferris Wheel the
Vender OF fruits, eatables, soft drinks;
the fortune teller, ball throwing. etc.
were all in evidence. but the games of
chance, however small, were elimin-
ated, and there was not show of the
couchee-couchee or any other kind on
theg rounds. There was enough how
ever, of the midway diversion to make
one feel that he was at a regular fair.
and all seemed to enjoy themselves.
Great crowds attended each day, but
Friday. Tuesday was the day of entry.
Wednesday, the real thing commenced
and the races and attractions brought
out crowd which compared favorably
with former years. Thursday. was
Wausau day and, as usual. the busi-
ness OF the city closed down and all
went to the fair. 1t was a record
breaker and the grounds were crowd
Ell from the entrance clear to the fence
at the west end with a surging mass
of people. At the grand stand the
people were packed in like sardines.
This grand stand was in every way
suitable when it was built. about
twenty-five years ago, but for Wausau
today, 1t is totally unfit to accommo-
date the crowds. 1t seems to have
been the intent of the designer, to
have every other line of seats used.
the seat Immediately below to be used
for on's feet. Now, with the aid of
the police, an attempt is made to use
every seat. 1t can't be done. The
only way TO do it successfully it to
have a general amputation of limbs
at the knee. Unless a suitable grand
stand is built that will accommodate
the crowds, people are going to stay
away.
The attendance on Thursday was
perhaps the largest in the history OF
our county fairs. 1t is reported that
fully $4,000, both in the afternoon and
evening were present
The Milwaukee Journals aeroplane
exhibition was feature which proved
a great attraction and no doubt helped
TO swell the attendance. Shortly after
noon, Thursday, the machine made a
flight, circling the grounds at great
heighth. Another was made at three
O'Clock taking photographs of the
crowds and the grounds. Another was
made at 1 o'clock. which was a splen-
did exhibition of the possibilities OF