FAIR DAYS: Today and tomorrow, we turn to our archives to see
how The Era covered the very first McKean County Fair some 100
years ago this week.[neWLine]

On Oct. 2, 1905, the headline read, “”Going to the County Fair
-Will be Opened Tomorrow. Fifty Horses Entered for the Races –
Elaborate Display of Fair Exhibits.””[neWLine]

The dateline was Smethport, and the story read as follows: “”The
entries for the races to be held at the fair here this week number
50 horses. They will ‘go’ in the different events scheduled and in
a new class added since the program was made.[neWLine]

“”There is not the slighted doubt that the races will be very
important features and first-class sport is assured in that
line.[neWLine]

“”The various fair exhibits are nearly all in place, and they
are extensive, representing agricultural, mercantile and other
interests.[neWLine]

“”The retail merchants have their exhibits in the places
assigned them, and they are extensive and attractive. The farmers
will show what they can do in the raising of fine crops and stock,
etc.[neWLine]

“”The Ferris wheel has arrived and will be ready for business
when the big show opens. Vaudeville attractions of the midway
variety will be there, and all other accessories of an up-to-date
county fair. Present indications are that the attendance will be
large.[neWLine]

“”The McKean County Fair Association is determined to give the
patrons of the fair a first-class exhibition and the organization
deserves generous patronage from the people of the county. Large
numbers of Bradford people are expected, and other towns and
communities are expected to send multitudes of
sightseers.””[neWLine]

Readers back then were urged to attend and “”make the affair a
complete success.”” A man by the name of George Fagnan was named as
“”one of the judges of corpulent cattle.””[neWLine]

By the way, people could get to the fair by way of the
B.B.&K. Railroad, which charged a dollar for a round trip.
People had to leave at 7 a.m. from Bradford, returning on a train
from Smethport via Kushequa at 5:45 p.m. each day of the
fair.[neWLine]

[neWLine]

TODAY’S QUOTE: “”Television has proved that people will look at
anything rather than each other,”” said advice columnist Ann
Landers in 1983. Our quote is from the Freedom Forum calendar.