In September, 1898, the merchants of Peoria held a street fair. A group of twenty-two businessmen from Galesburg took the train to Peoria on September 22^nd. They split into small groups in order to see as many aspects of the fair as possible. That evening they met in the Galesburg Club at 49 South Kellogg to discuss their findings.

It was reported sixty thousand people had visited the Peoria fair. The second day's attendance was less because of rainy weather. It was said many other cities were conducting street fairs or were planning to hold one on their primary business thoroughfares. Holding a street fair was a successful method for encouraging the public to visit a city.

On September 23^rd, forty men met at the Galesburg Club to discuss the matter of a street fair. W.O'R. Bradley, a local physician, was unanimously elected chairman along with Henry Chase as vice president; Ben B. Hampton, secretary; and George Churchill, treasurer. An executive committee of five men was also elected to carry on the work of the fair. A decision was made to hold the fair from October 10^th through 16^th. It had been ascertained that Mayor Forest F. Cooke was willing to cooperate with the project.

F.R. Gadd offered an empty storefront on Cherry Street as headquarters. The telephone and electric light companies agreed to donate their services. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad had been approached about offering reduced fares for the event. It was agreed that there would be three days of reduced fares. Ten committees were established for advertising, parades, decorating, entertainment and construction.

The distance from Seminary Street to the Public Square is 5000 feet. It was proposed that businessmen along the street rent the space in front of their stores for displays. They would have ten feet on Main Street in which to erect their exhibits. Of the thirteen grocery stores on Main Street, three held out for several days, but eventually joined the activity.

The City of Galesburg was asked to close Main Street and each of the intersecting streets for one block on the sides. Various entertainment acts would be held at the intersections. Booths with merchandise and food for sale would occupy the side streets.

One of the biggest attractions was to be two balloon ascensions by Thomas S. Baldwin of Quincy. He had gained renown by building his own lighter than air balloons and jumping by parachute a distance of 2000 feet from the balloon.

The street fair was also an occasion to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Spanish-American War. Banners were to be hung overhead on Main Street and several celebrities were contacted about attending the fair. John H. Finley, President of Knox College, invited Theodore Roosevelt to attend. He was unable to fit the fair into his schedule. Congressman George W. Price invited President William McKinley to stop in Galesburg on his way back from Omaha. With the help of the railroad, the President did come to Galesburg. Major General William R. Shafter was also asked to attend. He had been in charge of the Fifth Army during the Spanish and Philippine campaigns earlier in the year. He gladly accepted the invitation.

Next week: The Exhibits and the Parades