September 14, 2017
This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
We had a
story last week about a circus that came to town in September of 1904. Well, today’s story is about a carnival that
was here, only a month later – in October of 1904.
A Fall
Festival involving a street carnival was held in town from October 4th
through the 8th. The World’s
Fair Carnival Company had been secured for the event, which was being sponsored
by the local Aerie of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. The company carried 14 first class amusement
features. Four of those were to be used
free and the other 10 were paid attractions.
It was the intention of those who organized the event to have the
carnival features set up in the streets in the business portion of the city
providing the City Council granted their permission. The location of the carnival was to be
between Seventh and Eighth Streets and Jefferson and Washington Streets. Everywhere this traveling company had
appeared, they drew great crowds. It was hoped that the railroads would give
excursion rates to those people traveling to this area in order to encourage
out-of-towners to visit. This was the
first time Junction City had put on such an event and the community was
confident the people of Central Kansas were going to be entertained in a way
they would remember for a long time.
During
Sundown Salute the Ottaway Amusements provide quality entertainment, which
attracts people of various age groups and from different parts of the United
States. It seems to me – being in the older age group - that some of the rides
have become more challenging than the “Tilt-A Whirl”, merry-go-round or Ferris
wheel, which were a part of the carnivals in the 50’s and 60’s. So what do you think?
Well… that
is today’s story from the Geary County Historical Society.
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