Photo: Early photo of the Band and Grandstand at the fairgrounds where the weddings took place.

In a past column I printed the 1957 wedding of Alice Palmer to James Green. Further research has uncovered another wedding at the Sandy Creek Fair that took place Wednesday, September 7, 1887. The Sandy Creek News contained the following story of the wedding which from all accounts was very successful. The following announcement of the proposed wedding appeared in the Sandy Creek News early in the summer of 1887, under the heading, “Don’t You Want To Get Married?”

The S. C. R. O. & B. Agricultural Society, desirous of having united in holy bonds of wedlock two souls but with a single thought, two hearts that beat as one, offers a wedding gift of $25 in gold to the couple that will be married on their grounds during the coming fair, which will be held at Sandy Creek, September 7, 8, and 9, parties accepting this offer to make arrangements with the committee on or before July 1.

No names to be published unless by consent and everything to be conducted after the most approved methods. It is expected that our merchants and others will add to the bridal presents, which will be announced hereafter.

The weddings: “Long before three every seat in the grandstand and all the standing room in the vicinity of the band stand was filled with people waiting the approach of the bridal train. At three o’clock Hon. O. R. Earl, president of the society, accompanied by Rev. E. F. Maine mounted the band stand which had previously been decorated with flowers by Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Gardner. Several baskets, a horseshoe and a floral bell were from the same source and were all about the surroundings that reminded one of the event that was about to take place.”

“The first couple to present themselves were Mr. William DeLapp and Miss Amelia Chapman. The couple were on the shady side of forty. The bride was attired in a modest brown and looked very nice. The couple stood the ordeal finely; not even when President Earl placed in her hand a sealed envelope and implanted a kiss on her cheek did the bride show any embarrassment.”

“Mr. Frank Porter and Miss Alice Presley of Sandy Creek were the second couple. Miss Presley was attired in pink satin skirt with lace overdress and cashmere bodice. The wedding was well crowned with a wreath of flowers. Mr. Earl supplanted the ceremony with an envelope and kiss, amid the hearty cheers of the crowd. The band then gave the Swedish wedding march and the crowd dispersed.”

Oren R. Earl, President: Gifts from our merchants: C. W. Colony heads the list of donors to the to be happy couple with a parlor wood stove; E. L. Nye & Son will present a chamber suite; W. J. Stevens and Dr. J. Lyman Bulkley, one half ton of coal.