Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1890 — THE COUNTY FAIR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE COUNTY FAIR.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF A WORTHY INSTITUTION. Its Influence for Good Upon the Com-munity-Origin of the County Fair in the I'nlteU Stages—Fairs as Conducted in This Country and in Europe.

G the people in the I agricultural dfsf tricts. there are few B subjects of more H importance, in the t! autumn season of the year, than the 1 county fair. Searcely seventy years ifc/TllL have rolled by since the idea was origin|ated at Albany, N. Y., by a prosperous merchant named

Elkanah Watson. Rapidly has it grown in popularity until to-day statistics show that more than half of the 3,500 counties of the Union annually hold agricultural exhibits of some kind. Fairs, however, were held across the water long before such was ever known in this country. But the term here and there are by no means synonymous. In the United States it implies a variety of exhibits, especially of stock and agricultural products, together with good racing and other attractive features, while in Europe it signifies a place for the sale or purchase of various tilings—such as some new-fashioned article, provisions, the sale of cattle, lambs, wool or the annual produce. Owing to defective communication such fairs were very popular in the old world. Rome, Leipsic, Frankfort, Dublin. Greenwich and Glasgow each in their day was a famous market place, and buyers and sellers from all over the continent were

frequent visitors. Gradually have those fairs ceased to ba of value, and are extinct or changed to scenes of merriment to attract the masses. Various amusements accordingly are furnished there — foot-ball, wrestling, yawning, sack races, grinning through a horse-collar, greased pig. wheelbarrow races, etc.—resembling in some particulars some of the features of a fair of the present time in this

country. Many have been the changes wrought in half a century. People of this age see and enjoy things that to our forefathers would have been improbable and visionary. Numerous are the hardy pioneers who can recall the first attempt at anything like a fair in their county. Perhaps one yoke of cattle, a donkey, a span of mules, a mare and a colt was tlie sum total of the stock show, while the other things on exhibition would not furnish a small load for an ordinary overland peddler. So radical has been the change that a comparison is useless. To-day, with commodious buildings, extensive grounds and line race tracks, we arc well supplied with all the modern conveniences. A spirit of rivalry has aroused the hitherto latent enthusiasm of many a farmer and his household, and as autumn approaches the result of a summer’s labor is quite evident on observing the fattened cattle, hogs and sheep, the fine display of turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens, and the blooded draught, trotting or road horses. The machinery, culinary and art departments each contribute considerably toward making the fair a success. With an unlimited supply of fruits and cereals the programme is about completed. A passing notice, however, is due the timehonored pumpkin, and referring to it we do so in all reverence. In speaking of the traditional pumpkin all are aware of the fact that this magnificent vegetable has been often slandered and many things said of its size that might be questioned, but as for this article the truth will he strictly adhered to. ' In a county in Southern Indiana the pumpkin flourishes in all its grandeur, and its rapid growth was accordingly taken advantage of. Early in the season a certain fair association planted the seed, and. as the weeks passed, took good care of the tender plants until last week they matured. They then employed a number of meh and from these pumpkins constructed an amphitheater, various halls, stables, etc.,

and besides will have surplus enough to furnish feed for the stock gratis. No other attraction than the fair can cause the rural people to attend so nearly en masse. The old. the young, the rich, the poor prepare to turn from the busy cares of lii- and enjoy themselves. The

interest in the county fair continues to increase year by year. Divers reasons can be assigned for the associations reaching this successful stage, among which are efficient officers, prohibiting gambling and drinking, and last, but not least, the people taking an interest and offering liberal patronage. Competition can in no way be better encouraged than by a prosperous fair. The county can conceive no iheans to better advertise her resources. Find a county with a poor county fair and you find a locality that does not extend a eordial welcome to capital or labor. The gala day arrives, and the farmer, giving his horses an extra rubbing, dons his best bib and tucker, and, with his family dressed in their Sunday raiment, and with a big, well-filled lunch basket, is

soon in the family conveyance and off to the fair. The journey is made, and the fun begins. Each pays his money and takes his choice. Amusements are there to suit the wants of all, regardless of age, race, creed, or color. For the verdant youth who for the first time is released from his mother’s apron strings, and is permitted to roam at his own sweet will, many are the things that will tickle his fancy. He covets everything he sees. Gladly would lie surrender his ticket for the next world rather than miss the fair. Pleasure untold, however, is not his lot till lie has invested his shekels in red balloons, hot taffy, and forms a partner-

ship with “White Mule & Co.” for an excursion on the merry-go-round. Oh, what a grand time! As for the merry maiden, she does not materially differ from the youth of the opposite sex except where thoughtful mothers keep a watchful eye and interfere with such boy-like proceedings. The juveniles do not alone enjoy the fair. The young dudelet just out of short jackets, with a little fuzz gathering on his upper lip,, with his first paper collar, and the young miss, as she emerges from the nursery and abbreviated frocks, playing the role of sweetheart for the first time, they are there. In the meanderings of this couple many strange things come to their vision. Arm in arm, promenading as gracefully as two muscovy ducks,they are taking in the fair when cruelly and un» suspectingly the young escort is brought face to face with a variety of sportive signs that are calculated to make his pocketbook feel very hungry. During the day this couple offer an excellent target for the taffy and lemonade venders, who courteously extend them an invitation to stop, examine and invest. Does he invest? His exchequer is getting low, but Sal gives him an affectionate wink and his substance is wasted on hoky-poky, circus lemonade, popcorn and many other things found at a well-regu-lated fair. Eventually the day draws to a close, the sun begins to set behind a distant stock pen, the bullfrog in the pool commences his evening warble, the pollywogs in their native puddles prepare themselves for the shades of night, and the youthful couple reluctantly take their departure.

' Another kind of pleasure awaits the older people. To them the things so much prized by the children are of minor importance: they have come to see the people. Friends are met who have long been absent. Comments on the crops and fair are indulged in. The success or failure, the marriage or death, of an acquaintance or relative is freely discussed. A prominent feature of many fairs in recent years is the “Old Settlers’ Reunion.” A general good time is had. Good speakers arc obtained ,to address these venerable people, and together with many reminiscences constitute a programme that is quite interesting. Perfection in county fairs as in many other ventures lias not yet been attained. But does this signify they are not a success? We appreciate the varieties of taste and refrain from making suggestions. but believe that improvements canid be made in even the best of our county fairs. Already such rapid advancements have been made as to surpass the expectations of the most sanguine. Let the good work go on until the people of every county are so aroused and impressed as to be stimulated to more earnest endeavors toward making their fair an ideal one and a booming success. Hiram W. Thomas.

What sacrifice a woman will not make for the man she loves, and what sacrifice a man will not permit a woman to make for him, are two things not yet discovered.

RACING AT THE COUNTY FAIR.

"THE TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN."

"ALL ABOARD FOR THE FAIR GROUNDS."

SIMPLE BUT SUGGESTIVE.

COUNTRY FOLK GOING TO THE FAIR.