The 105th annual fair and cattle show of Dukes County opened in West Tisbury yesterday morning, and the following impressions were gained at 10 o’clock in the forenoon:
It is probable that there were exhibits yet to come in some of the departments, but it appeared as if most of the exhibits were complete. Taking an overall view of the entire affair, the impression was that it is smaller than ever, that the same faithful and devoted souls had made every effort possible to fill gaps occurring in most departments, that, but for the work of juveniles, the interior show would have been trimmed by at least forty per cent, and that the cattle show is probably the smallest of record.
Worthy of Praise
Yet there were many features worthy of unstinted praise. Arrangement, as always in recent years, was exceptionally fine. The oddities, antiques and museum pieces shown were different and, as always, interesting.
As an example, the main entrance to the first floor of the hall was occupied by an especially built rack of shelves about eight feet high and twelve feet long. On these shelves were specimens of antique glass, ceramics, lamps, guns, pictures, including daguerreotypes, a metal wind vane and an ancient ball gown.
The flower show was only meager, although the specimens were fine and arrangement admirable. The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club went all out in its theme, entitled Chappaquiddick, with a fragment of a wrecked boat, flowers, shells and fish nets.
Quantities of craftsmanship, sewing, collections of shells, butterflies, mosses and other items, characterized the displays of 4-H Clubs and other organizations of juveniles, all interesting and attesting to the care and effort made to produced the displays.
There were more rugs than usual, more afghans, all wonderful to behold, and a couple of giant sunflowers added to the show.
Canned goods were plentiful, although not in their usual quantity. The prolonged drought might well have been responsible for this, and also for the small display of fruits. And yet, there were more vegetables than were shown a year ago, and none of these appeared to have suffered from lack of water. One home garden display contained thirty-one varieties of vegetables and home garden crops, including peanuts.
The food display ran heavily to pies, and, as usual the display was such that visitors lingered before it with appetites stimulated.
Knotted and crocheted goods were numerous, and to the eye of mere man, appeared to be extraordinary in pattern, design and the quality of the workmanship.
As usual, the second floor contained the art exhibition and little else. Here was a large portion of the display, shown by artists under 21, which appeared to represent the work of far more individuals than usual.
The exhibits by adults included watercolors, oils, pastels, crayon, and pen-and-ink sketches, ceramics, metal and wood sculpture, and photography. This last display was smaller than usual, and much of it was colored.
Trend Toward Reality
For the rest of the adult exhibit, a trend toward reality could be traced. All subjects were good and could be identified, while some of the pictures excited the admiration of those who admit to no art appreciation whatever.
The sculpture was weird, as such things usually are, but the idea behind the work was recognizable.
The livestock show consisted, at this hour, of twenty-three head of cattle, which included some calves, one steer and one bull, and three goats.
Exhibitors of cattle included Nip-N-Tuck Farm, Marjorie Manter, Hariph Hancock and Leonard Athearn, possibly others.
The biggest exhibitor was Nip-N-Tuck Farm, which also sent in a pair of draft horses, the only ones exhibited.
These cattle were a handsome and well-kept lot, serving to show the possibilities in cattle-keeping on the Island, although there are very few left.
It would not be a completed story without mention of the carnival which appeared to occupy even more of the grounds than usual, although this was denied by some. In any event, it was gay, noisy, and even at an early hour the kids were appearing with money to pay for rides and other amusements. Again it was brought home that the fair as of today is a kids’ show; without them to exhibit and to patronize there could be no fair.
A considerable area has been added to the fairgrounds since last year, and is already fenced and available for use. The horse shows have already made use of this additional land to good advantage.
Comments