The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-08-09
THE STATE FAIR
hINNESoTAS EXPOSITION THIS
YEAR WILL ECLIPSE ALL
PREVIOUS DISPLAYS.

In New Buildings and Other I'M
provements-September 2 to 2, In
elusive, the Dates for the Big Event.
Most characteristic of all the ad-
vance news about the Minnesota State
Fair are those items which go to show
che wonderful growth of the institu-
ton. The Minnesota fair has, in fact,
outgrown its position as state" fair.
Il Is now a Northwestern exposition
and q national live stock exhibit. In
this character It is not surprising that
It needs more room in every depart
ment and that the reports of manag-
ers' meetings are filled with the en-
deavors of the officials to find space
for the would-be exhibitors and to pro-
vide accommodations for the great
crowds which will undoubtedly be
present.
Last years fair was "record-break-
or" in every department; this years
fair promises to so far eclipse that of
1900 as to make it seem trifling occa-
sion. The management has secured
attractions of the highest character
and as part of the exhibits will have
such a display of live stock as to fairly
set in the shade the grand live stock
exhibit made in Chicago last winter,
Roosevelt to Be There.
The fair managers made their first
hit by inviting Vice President Theo-
dore Roosevelt to open the fair. The
Invitation went first, informally,
through Thomas H. Shevlin of Mime
apolis, vice president of the fair, and
after the formal invitation of the
board, Mr.. Roosevelt accepted in an
autograph letter. He is to address the
crowd from the grand stand on Mon
day morning, Sept. 2, at II o'clock, for
mally opening the fair, and he will
later hold an informal reception and
be the guest of the officers of the fair
and various notables at luncheon. In
the afternoon he will review the ex-
hibits
A National Live Stock Exhibit.
National exhibitions by the Amer
and the American Hereford Breeders
association in addition to the usual
large exhibit of cattle of all breeds
will draw to the Minnesota State Fair
OF 1901 collection of live stock which
will form the largest exhibit of it's
class ever made, even eclipsing the
Chicago exhibit of last year. 1t will
be the event of the year for farmers,
breeders and all people interested in
the diversifcation Of Western farm in
dustries.
The fair management has joined
with the breeders association in offer
ing increased premiums in both these
classes of live stock and the premiums
have been enlarged in other depart
ments wherever possible.
Auction Sales of Booded Cattle.
On certain days of the fair there
will be auctions without reserve of
many head of fine Shorthorns and
Herefords. This will give farmers and
breeders an excellent opportunity t.
improve their herds.
Every department of the fair is
feeling the influence of the live stock
exhibitions and the other great draw
ing cards which the managers have ar
ranged. To accommodate a very per-
sistent demand for space for exhibit
ing a process of expansion is going On
this summer on the grounds.
Most conspicuous among the new
buildings is the Agricultural Hall,
which was erected with an appropria-
ton of $4,000 made by the state
legislature last winter. This building
Is 260X240 feet in size and of very fine
architectural appearance. It is de-
signed by c. R. Aldrich, the architect
OF many of the university and college
OF agriculture buildings. 1t is now the
most prominent building on the
grounds and the one which will be nat
urally entered first by visitors. 1t will
contain the exhibits of the horticul-
tural and agricultural departments.
Other Evidences of Growth.
The old Horticultural building will
be used this year to accommodate the
carriage department and the old car
riage building will be given up to farm
implement exhibitors. Several new
buildings will be erected by farm ma
chinery manufacturers and some may
have to be housed in tents. Another
temporary stock barn has been built
to take care of the overflow caused by
the presence of the big national cattle
shows. The grand stand is enlarged
by the addition of 1000 bleacher seats.
A new toilet building Of generous d.
mansions and modern accommodations
will be an appreciated feature. Sew
eral of the concessionaries will have
attractive new buildings and the Min
neapolis Journal will erect substan-
tial and handsome structure. The gov
eminent of the United States will es-
tablish a postoffice on the grounds
and for its use the fair will supply a
building of suitable size.
Prizes and Premiums.
Early in the season the fair officers
revised the premium list, making ex
tensive additions and increasing the
amounts in many cases. These liberal
offers have been supplemented In
many instances by offers from indi
viduals or firms interested in the sue
cess of the fair. In the cattle depart
ment, especially in Shorthorns, Here
fords and Aberdeen-Angus cattle, thu
combined offers of thp fairs and RI.