File:WayneCoFair 18Oct1866 p2 0001.pdf

• E. Foreman

• Wayne County Fair

In consequences of the excessive rain which almost deluged this whole region, from the 15th to the 25th of September the County Fair was postponed from the 19th of that month until the 10th (October) instant.

For two weeks previous to the 9th, the weather was most favorable, and the friends of the Society were hoping that the failure to hold the Fair at its appointed time, and the consequent disappointment of exhibitors, in being compelled to preserve their perishable articles three weeks beyond the proper time-- many of which were totally ruined, would still result in a decided success. Their bright anticipations were doomed to a sad disappointment. Early on the 9th the rain came down in torrents, and continued during the most of the day and night, rendering the roads very muddy, and the Fair Grounds soft, wet and disagreeable. On the 10th, the morning opened dark and stormy, and continued thus at intervals during the day. It was thought by many that the Fair would prove a decided failure. Very few entries were made and fewer articles reached the Grounds. Not over twenty exhibitors had articles in position at the close of the first day.

On the second day, the morning was lowery, with heavy showers in different parts of the County, but our citizens were determined not to be wholly disappointed of their annual holiday, and at about 10 o'clock the crowd rushed into the Fair Grounds. Their happy, smiling faces brought pleasant weather with them, which continued until the close of the exhibition on Friday evening, when they returned to their homes, fully of the opinion, that they had witnessed the best display of the products of industry, that ever was exhibited at any previous Fair in Wayne County.

Floral Hall was filled to repletition, (with the exception of the department of "Domestic Manufactures,") with fine fruits, rare flowers, a grand variety of house plants, beautiful pictures, elaborate needlework, highly finished pen and pencil sketches, paintings and drawings, splendid specimens of photography in great variety and excellence of style and finish, specimens of penmanship which would be difficult to imitate and much more so to excel, and a grand display of glass and queensware. The Domestic Department, although not largely represented, yet it would be doing injustice, not to award them the character of great excellence. In future years we hope to see a larger display, but do not expect to see better articles.

It would be invidious to particularize, where everything was so excellent, but we cannot forbear to say that among the exhibitors of fine fruit, Israel Grady, of East Union; T. Howey, of Congress; Thos, Boon, of Sugar Creek; Charles Boydston, of East Union; Philip Troutman and E. Olroyd, of Clinton, contributed fine shows of apples, pears, quinces and grapes, of the most excellent varieties.

Of the exhibitors of photography, paintings, drawings and penmanship, J. C. Smith, Theodore Teeple, Greenwald, D. Roth, of Wooster; Miss Olroyed, of Clinton; and Messrs. Felton & Bigelow, of Cleveland, stood prominent for excellence.