The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-20
The County Fair:


Goodhue county is one Of the
largest and most productive coun-
ties in this State, and its: fair ought
to be the best attended and most
attractive. The officers Of the ag-
ricultural society have taken pains
to prepare an acceptable premium
list, and the credit Of the associa-
ton is such as to insure that the
premiums will be promptly paid.
The grounds, too, are in a locality
convenient to all parts Of the coun-
ty, and near village affording ev-
cry accommodation to those who
visit the fair.
| ~~ Under such circumstances, there
is but one reason why the coming
fair should not be entirely success
full andwe hope that the readers Of
the ADVANCE will generally assist in
striving to make it so. The time fer
holding it-October nth, 18th and
18TH though somewhat late, is a
propitious season. 1t is after the
autumnal rains are over and too
early for such severe cold as will in
terfere with the comfort Of visitors,
and would, probabIy;~@:be: the best
possible time were it not that it is
after: all the surrounding fairs, and
this one: will consequently, not &C.
cur until the interest in such ex-
hibitions begins to: wane.: 81
It strikes us that annual fairs
might be made much more adyan-
tageous to thu public than they are,
if a complete cnange were adopted
in the general programme. On last
Friday we attended the Harvest
Festival of the Pomona Grange Of
this county, held in Burchardt $
hall, Hay Creek valley. There was
a small but attractive selection Of
agricultural products exhibited there,
and considerable time was con.
sumed in examining them and in
discussing methods of cultivation !;
thus not only awakening an inter
est in such subjects but dissemi.,a
ting a fund Of useful information.
Now, why could not our annual
fairs combine, as we'll, this fea-
ture Of a harvest festival? Dispense
entirely with the premiums, and at
tract visitors and exhibitors by ap-
peals to their pride and their de-
sire for enjoyment, rather than by
pecuniary inducements? Let the
articles exhibited be brought there
and placed in comparison with each
other, not merely from hope to
win a premium and thus aid in the
sale Of such products at fancy
prices; but with the purpose Of gen
>erous rivalry and a desire to stimuli
late each other to greater exertions
to attain superior excellence in the
future.
Instead Of merely: runnin g to the
fair to spend a few hours in gaping
at a not always attractive exhi BIZ
ton, let there: be inducements of.
fered, in the shape: Of social enjoy
| ments and Profitable entertainments,
to have the entire agricultural CON-
munity, at least, repair thither for a
two or three days visit. Let it be,
in brief, a festival as we'll as a fair,
and instead of being used merely to
advertise somebody's machinery, OF
nursery products, or fancy stock, as
our fairs are nowadays, let it be an
occasion for feasting and frolic and
for discussing agricultural topics
which may be suggested by the
events transpiring at the time
Then, instead Of returning weary
and disappointed, we shall go t.
our homes gladdened and improved
and will strive to prepare for thu
: next festival products more worth,