The Ocala Evening Star

READY FOR THE DAY

The Farmers Will Meet and Their City Cousins Will Greet.

October 20th a Day of Oratory, Feasting, Tournament, Prize Winning, Queen Crowning, Scrub Dashes, and Fun and Frolic Generally Enough to Make all of Marion County Kin in General Good Will.

A large and enthusiastic meeting of the executive committee was held Monday night at Mr. Zewadski's office to hear reports and perfect plans for the barbecue and the horse swapping day, Oct. 20th.

Chairman Campbell called on Mr. Zewadski, chairman of the entertainment committee, who said that Mr. Mays of Monticello was compelled to decline his invitation to speak at the barbecue, because of business interests at home that he could not delegate to another.

Col. C. L. Sildes, the Mark Twain of Gainesville, was compelled to decline the honor of addressing the people of Marion, because he was prosecuting attorney of Alachua county and court would be in session on that occasion.

But a happy thought secured the services of a speaker in the person of Col. T. P. Lloyd of Inverness. The Star predicts an address from this able legal gentleman and eloquent advocate of the people's rights with an oration worthy of their closest attention.

David S. Williams was substituted as chairman of the tobacco exhibits, vice Charles Peyser, whose business would not permit him to give the proper attention to same. He said his committee had held a well attended meeting Saturday night and he was satisfied the exhibit would be a feature of the day and one worthy of the attention of all those who were growing or contemplated growing tobacco.

In this connection it was unanimously agreed that Mr. L. J. Madero would give one of his "home talks" on the growing of tobacco, and none are more capable by experience along this line to do so than this splendid Cuban gentleman. It is proposed to have him prepare a small seed bed alongside of the speakers' stand so as to fully illustrate his pertinent and practical remarks.

Mr. M. Fishel, who is the acknowledged secretary of this movement, with the assistance of Mr. Chambliss and Mr. Campbell, has done excellent work in providing the "sinews of war" for the occasion. He made a gratifying report, but there are others who may give and should give, and we trust that they may see the true purposes of this gala day, open their hearts to an enlightened and public spirited view of the case and do their part as they see the way clear to aid themselves and their fellow citizens.

Mr. H. K. Smith, chairman of the barbecue committee, also spoke encouragingly of the work of his committee. Mr. McIntosh, of the tournament committee, said everything was in apple pie order and the gallant knights were arduously practicing for the rich prizes.

This committee offers a prize of $10 for the best rush on a 300 yard course, just beyond the water tower on Buckalew Heights.

Sid Perry, chairman of the horse swapping committee, hung a liberal contribution to the list, and said he was ready for "biz," having bought an Arabian steed Saturday for the exciting game of "horse swap;" that the grounds between Witness office and armory would be provided with 200 hitching posts for swappers of horses.

Ocala's excellent Metropolitan band will devote their services that day to supplying music; it will be of high order and one of the pleasant features of the farmers convention.

Ice Water Benjamin will see that commodity is on the grounds for all and without money and without price.

The "Queen of Beauty" will be crowned on the tournament grounds-and the gallant knight who shall win that distinction will be honored as the champion rider of Marion county.

At night the Young People's Literary society will render a short program at the armory, after which the cry will go up, "On with the dance, let joy be unconfined." All our young country friends are cordially invited.

The colored band will give a concert at their Masonic Hall, to which all of their race are requested to attend.

The executive committee of gala day will hold another meeting Friday night at Mr. Zewadski's office, at which time and place, the barbecue committee will also meet.

The barbecue committee have decided that at this entertainment there shall be no scrambling or picking of tidbits, all to be placed on the same level, as the arrangements will be such that each individual will receive their edibles on a wooden platter, handed them by a large corps of trained waiters.

With one accord the people of Ocala say to the people of Marion county, come.