The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-08-19
A STREET FAIR.
A Brief Sketch as to How it is Con-
ducted---SOme of the Rules.

A Brief Sketch as to How it is Con-
ducted---SOme of the Rules.
The business men of Saltwater are
making arrangements for a street
fair, and to ind out just how it is
conducted, they sent committee to
Faribault, where several have been
held, to see how they handled them.
The Saltwater Messenger gives the
following account of what was
learned:
every merchant and citizen there
whom they saw expressed himself as
highly gratitied with the undertaking
and is enthusiastic when speaking Of
the affair. They claim that on no
other occasion had so many people,
farmers and other visitors, come to
the city; in fact the crowds were
larger than the city could accommo-
date. AS the prize list pamphlet pub
lished by the Faribault association
says:
The object of holding these street
fairs is two-fold. In the first place 1t
brings the merchants and the farmers
nearer together and demonstrates to
each that their interests are mutual
what benefits one benefits the other.
In the second place, competitions like
these are sure to stimulate friendly
rivalry between producers, the ten
dency of which will be to improve the
quality of the stock, grains and
vegetables raised.
"In speaking of the information
that they received in Faribault in the
matter, Mr.. Simonet said that the ex-
hibition booths were constructed in
front of the merchants stores. The
booths extend about two feet into the
street and rest partly on the side
walk. The entrance faces the store
and high poles are erected to allow
for decoration. The merchant at.
tends to the decorating himself. Each
booth is then given certain line of
exhibit, one winter wheat, another
white fife wheat, another certain
quality of corn, and another will have
onions, another potatoes, and so on
until each line of produce is assigned
place for exhibition. No names will
be attached to any of the exhibits but
number will be placed on each
article and duplicate given to the
owner, and the judges will make
known the award of prizes by that
number.
"The merchant who has the booth
in charge is expected to award suit
able 1st. End and 3rd prizes for the
articles he has on display. These
prizes to consist of merchandise such
as a lap robe, whip, box Of cigars, a
sack of -four, ETC., or he may be given
cash should he so PREFER
1.-THE following rules adopted by
the Fairbault Street Fair associa-
tion explain many of the details
and give much information that
will be of benefit for the exhibitors to
observe.
Articles entered for premiums must
have the secretary's entry card at
tached. Owners name must not ap-
pc n on exhibit.
Parties bringing goods for entry
must take them to the place where
they are to be exhibited ; a secretary's
number will be attached to the ex-
hibit, and owner given card with
duplicate number; the prize donor
keeping list of same.
Exhibitors must bring feed along
for live stock also bucket for water.
Premiums will be given by the DO
nor only on presentation OF an order
signed by the Secretary. And where
there is only one exhibitor In one list
number, only one premium vii! be
given. to the first, second or third, as
the merit of the article may warrant.
The amount Of grain and vegetab-
les to be exhibited will be one half
bushel, except melons, pumpkins,
squashes, cabbages, mangel wurzel,
ETC., one each.
All live stock, after receiving their
number from the donor Of the prize,
must be taken to the City market.
where they will be placed in their Or
der.
Sin addition to the exhibiting of
farm produce, manufactured articles
will also be displayed; butter, cheese
bread, cake etc. The exhibits Of live
stock and poultry will also be princi-
pal features. At the fair at Faribault
last year a baby show, exclusively for
the wives of farmers, was great
drawing card, and many such attrac-
tiops can be utilized to make the fair
a success.