The Best of the Fair
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
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The weeks before the fair's opening dwindled down to days. Would the fair open on time? "I'm going the first week," Frances bragged.
"I'm going opening day. I saw a poster for a Wild West Show, and I'll see it too," Sarah boasted. Lily wasn't sure when she was going—but soon, she hoped.
May 1, 1893, came, and the World's Columbian Exposition opened as planned. Not all the buildings and attractions were finished, but most people loved it anyway. Frances went the first week, but the ground was muddy from construction, and she complained that her best dress got ruined.
Lily wanted to see the fair soon. She told her grandfather, "I'm ready to go see this fair. Will you take me please?"
Lily's grandfather liked the idea. "My friend Mr. Weller is working there. I'll see if he has any advice."
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A few days later, Grandpa came home with a big smile on his face and a package tucked under his arm. He'd been to see Mr. Weller. "Here you go." He handed Lily the thin package wrapped in brown paper.
Lily gasped when she looked inside. "Tickets!" she exclaimed, waving the pieces of paper that looked a lot like money. "Admit the Bearer—Complimentary. What does that mean?" she asked. Grandpa said that Mr. Weller gave them passes to get in free.
A brightly colored book caught Lily's eye. She stared at the flags and symbols of different parts of the world on the cover and flipped through the pages. It was the "International Guide to the World's Columbian Exposition" and it told everything to see at the fair. There was so much!
Under the book was a map of the fair."Figure out what to see," Grandpa said. "Find things Joseph will like. Mr. Weller said he'd give us an illuminating tour." Lily couldn't wait. She spent the whole next day reading every word of the guide and memorizing the map.
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