CHAPTER II
A COUNTY FAIR PLAY FESTIVAL
Play programs with everybody in the games, old and young, large and small, are replacing the fakers and chance-men in some of our County Fairs. Instead of a lot of disgusted individuals with empty purses winding their way on the long home trail we want to hear the laughter of the family group, still exhilarated as a result of a pleasant afternoon spent in happy, healthful recreation.
Everybody loves to play but few will admit it. In fact a great many do not realize that it is true. In order to get everybody in the game, it may be necessary to use unusual methods. A heterogeneous group can be led into the play program unconsciously if the leader uses the proper approach; and before old Deacon Hasbrook knows it, he and his good wife, neither of whom have played in nigh on to thirty-five years, will be laughing and frisking about with the rest in a way that you would have said impossible if you had known this sedate dignitary for the past twenty-five years.
The Grand March
Here is one way that it can be done. While the band is playing a lively march at one end of the field which is to be used for the games, have the leaders, who have been previously instructed, get all of the folks lined up in couples around the field for a grand march. A couple trained for the occasion leads the march when everybody is in line, marching about the circumference of the field. The leaders start their fancy marching. At one end they turn and march down the center of the field to the far end where the couples separate, the ladies going to the left and the gentlemen to the right. They reunite at the other end of the field. The march continues with numerous variations such as change of formation from double to formation of fours, marching diagonally across the field, crossing at the middle, etc. The march should end with the group arranged in couples around the circumference of the field with the ladies nearest the center. Have both groups face the center and have the ladies take one step forward and the men take one step backward.
The Games for All
One American flag on a short stick is handed to the leaders of both lines, that is, the leading lady and the leading gentleman, and at the signal to start the flags are passed about the circle (over the head), the ladies competing against the gentlemen to see which can pass the flag from hand to hand all the way around the circle in the quickest time. The race ends when the flag returns to the leader, who waves the same above his head, indicating the close of the race.
If the group is less than 100 in number, the following game can be played:
A ball of string is handed to the leader of each team. Upon the signal to start, the leaders, holding the end of the string, pass the ball to the next one on the team, who passes it to his neighbor, unrolling it as it goes, and so on from hand to hand, each one on the team keeping hold of the string with his right hand. There should be string enough in the ball to reach all the way round the circle. The ball diminishes as it is passed along. When the ball reaches the last one in the circle he starts rewinding the string upon the ball, passes it back to the next one, who winds on the slack, and so the ball is passed, each one winding until the ball returns to the captain. Each team will try to get the ball properly wound back into the captain's hands first. No one can leave his regular position in the line during the race. If the ball has been properly wound, it will be possible to throw the same twenty-five feet to the judges, who take a position within the circle and about this distance in front of the captain. The first one to get the ball into the hands of the judge, by means of this throw, wins the race.
In the next race five or six flags of the Allies are passed about the circle in the same way. The flags are stuck in the ground in front of the leaders. Upon the signal to start, the leaders pick up the first flag and start it on its way, then immediately pick up the second and start it about the circle and so on until all of the flags are in motion. The American flag should be passed last. When all of the flags have been returned to the leaders they run to the center of the ring. The first one to stick the American flag up in the receptacle there placed to receive it wins the race. (Careful instruction should be given that the flags in being passed about the circle must be handed from one individual to the next so that every individual passes the flag. Throwing is not allowed.)
See chapter on Racing Games for picnic for other suggestions.
Following these passing games the group can be broken up into smaller circles, each under the direction of a leader who has been previously instructed in the type of game he is to give to his group. The
## activities of the smaller groups are to be arranged according to the
age of the participants.
In dividing a group into smaller groups according to age, the leader should first have all children under twelve years of age step forward. These should be placed in the charge of group leaders. Next all the boys and girls from twelve to eighteen should be asked to step forward and next all those young men and women who can participate in active games. When this last group has been called forward, those remaining will form the fourth group.
It is difficult for one leader to handle more than fifteen individuals. If any of the groups contain more than this number, they should be subdivided, with a leader placed in charge of each subdivision. Try as far as possible to have the two sexes equally divided in each group. The games should be carefully selected in advance and the various leaders should have been trained for their task. No active play program for large groups should be planned for a longer period than one hour and then frequent rest periods allowed for adults.
Games which will be found adaptable for the various groups contained in this volume are suggested below:
For the children under twelve--Schoolyard Games for Primary and Intermediate Pupils.
For those from twelve to eighteen--Schoolyard Games for Advanced Pupils.
For the young men and women--Outdoor Games for the Older Boys and Young Men.
For the middle-aged--a selection of games from chapter on "Games for Picnics, and Social Games for Adults".
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