The 1890's Summer Fair, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, was a wonderful olden times country type fair, and oh so much fun! It's was very "Little House on the Prairie"-ish. I met a whole bunch of 19th century personas including Susan B. Anthony, Babe Ruth, and Walt Whitman. And I came dressed up so I got in free.

Here I am with some of the other fair personas. I think that's Elizabeth Ardor on the left (famous socialite of that time) and Charlotte Gilman (American lecturer and writer who improved conditions of labor and advancement of women). And me, who was, well, me! Well, I was named "Best in Pink" so *shrugs* it was bunches of fun.



Ah, Buffalo Bill Cody and Me. It's so nice when you go to the 19th century and all the guys are polite and chivalrous, saying things like "Thank you, Ma'am," while they tip they're hats to you.



Alas, I do not have a picture of the guy who played Professor Harold Hill at the fair. Mr. Hill was a fictious character from the musical "The Music Man" (which took place during that era) well, Mr. Hill was a con man, a swindler, a no good louse. But he played it so well. Have you ever seen those bottles that say they can cure any malady, he was selling them around the fair. Just candies, really. Then he sang a bit of "The Music Man"
Well, ya got trouble, my friend.
Right here, I say trouble right here in River City
Why, sure, I'm a billiard player
Certainly mighty proud to say,
I'm always mighty proud to say it
I consider the hours I spend with a cue in my hand are golden
Help you cultivate horse sense and a cool head and a keen eye
Didja ever take an' try an' give an iron clad leave
to yourself from a three-rail billiard shot?
But just as I say it takes judgement, brains and maturity
to score in a balk-line game
I say that any boob can take and shove a ball in a pocket
And I call that sloth,
the first big step on the road to the depths of degreda-
I say, first- medicinal wine from a teaspoon,
then beer from a bottle
And the next thing you know your son is playin'
for money in a pinchback suit
and listenin' to some big out-o'-town jasper
Hear him tell about horserace gamblin'
Not a wholesome trottin' race, no,
but a race where they set down right on the horse!!

Mothers of River City! Heed the warning before it’s too late!
Watch for the tell-tale signs of corruption!
The moment your son leaves the house
does he rebuckle his knickerbockers below the knee?
Is there a nicotine stain on his index finger?
A dime novel hidden in the corn crib?
Is he memorizing jokes out of Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang?
Are certain words creeping into his conversation?
Words like "swell" and "so’s your old man" ? If so, m'friends –

Ya got Trouble (oh we’ve got Trouble)
Right here in River City! (Right here in River City!)
With a capital T
and that rhymes with P
and that stands for Pool.

Remember the Maine, Plymouth Rock and that Golden Rule!

Back to Conventions & Faires