FAIR REPORT: Oct. 4, 1905, was the second day of the fair, and
the estimated attendance at the grounds exceeded the 3,000
mark.[neWLine]
The Era filed this report: “”The fair is a pronounced success
and will grow in favor in succeeding years. In connection with the
exhibits, races were held today, and will be continued on Thursday
and Friday, with an entry list of over 60 horses. Thursday will be
Bradford Day, and the racing program will comprise a trot, a pace
and half-mile running.””[neWLine]
We began our story on the very first McKean County Fair – 100
years ago this week – in yesterday’s edition, gathering information
from our archives from so long ago.[neWLine]
Oct. 5, “”Bradford Day,”” was a huge success, according to the
headlines and accompanying story. “”Hundreds of people went to
Smethport Thursday from Bradford to attend the county fair,”” the
account read.[neWLine]
“”How many hundreds were in the bunch cannot be accurately
stated. They went by different routes. Some say there were nigh
unto a thousand Bradfordians on the grounds during the afternoon.
The weather was delightful, and the program of amusements pleasing.
The exhibits were fine, the races exciting. Music by bands,
baseball, ‘out the pike’ attractions, the Ferris wheel and many
other features made the occasion enjoyable. It is said that fully
5,000 people were in attendance.[neWLine]
“”Today the fair will close. It has demonstrated the fact that
the McKean County Fair Association knows how to manage an
enterprise of that sort and that the people of the county are
willing to patronize it.[neWLine]
“”Many Bradford people waited until the late special trains left
Smethport last night before starting homeward. They attended the
performance given by the Elite Vaudeville Co. of this city at the
Smethport Opera House.””[neWLine]
On Saturday morning, Oct. 7, Era readers were given a wrap-up of
the first fair’s closing day.[neWLine]
“”The county fair closed today with an attendance of over 2,500,
which included many representatives from Bradford and vicinity. The
McKean County Fair Association’s first exhibition was an
unqualified success financially and otherwise. Next year the fair
will be bigger and better, and in succeeding seasons the annual
county exhibit and races will be important factors in popular
favor.””[neWLine]
By the way, winners of the horse races took home a pretty good
purse, considering it was 1905 – $300 for all, including the
“”Gentlemen’s Road Race.””
