Year: 1874

EMPRoyEMENTS AND CHANGES AT THE FAIR
GROUNDS. The changes which are now in
progress at the State Fair Grounds involve q
number Of important improvements which
will not only add good deal to the appear.
ance Of the grounds but will be found OF
advantage to the Society. In place Of the
seats which were used last year by specta-
tors to enable them to witness the trials OF
speed the Executive Committee has caused
a spacious grand stand to be erected of suffi.:
cient size to seat about one thousand per.
sons and to accommodate large number of
promenaders on the platform above the
seats. The stand contains AGO braces and
more than ], 900 heavy iron bolts. The cost
Of this Improvement is about 81, 900. The
building. will be divided into two stories, the
upper story being designed for the seats and
the lower floor to be occupieda as refresh.
ment saloon, restaurant, etc. The prone
made above the seats Is intended as q
rest for those who patronize the grand stand
and who may be fatigued from sitting so
long time watching the races.


The building has been so arranged that it
may be enlarged at any time it may be deeu-
ed expedient. When completed the grand
stand will add greatly to the appearance of
the grounds, and may be seen long way of.
In the centre there will be O spacious obser-
vatory, designed for the exclusive use of the
press. From this observatory command
ing view of the track and grounds may be
had. A force Of hands are also at work upon
the track, which is being graded and other
wise improved. The old Walk-ways are also
being put in better order, and new ones be.
Ing cut from the grand stand to the main pa.
wilton. @


A new steam pump is to be put up, with
attachments TO large iron tank, which is 10
supply the water for the stationary engine, as
well as for fountain, which Is in process
of erection on the lawn near the building in
which the steam-engine was used last year.
The raw-material and produce sheds have
been removed from their former position to
point in line with the tine-art gallery. The
latter building has also been moved back
several feet, and the spectator will now have
a splendid and unobstructed view from the
main pavilion westWardly to the grand stand.
From the portico of the pavilion the view


must be very fine. There will no doubt be
hundreds of persons passing along this new
road to the race.traek at all times, and this
alone will add interest to the scene. The
main pavilion has been rebraced, and is now,
if 4 building can be, secure, and able to
bear the weight of the immense
crowd which, it is to be hoped,
will visit Richmond during the Fair week.
The lower room of the main pavilion will be
occupied by the florists and the sewing-ma-
chine men. It is said that the exhibition of
flowers will this year be unusually tine. The
ladies will have control OF the immense room
up stairs, and in it will be exhibited fancy
work of all kinds. There are mlny other
improvements which are now being and will
be made before the Fair, in addition to the
usual amount of cleaning up, &C., &C.; and it
is fair to predict that the State Far OF 1874
will be superior to any exhibition we Lave
had in Richmond for several years. Already
large number of entries have been made.