Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-08
Arrangements Being Made For
Semi-Centennial of State
Fair Society
NEW BUILDING WILL BE READY
With tho New Accommodations OF.
fered 1t is Expected That Exhibits
Will BIO Greater Than Ever Before
Fire Teams Will Give Several Races
During the Fair.
special to Times Republican.

a small band Of progressive Iowa farm
ers and farmers wives got together al
| Fairfield and determined that the then
young state of Iowa should have q
state fair. They made a small begin
| ming and held fair at Fairfield, where
tural Society, long since given legal
status in the state and now, by law, the
state agricultural department.
In an age Of celebrations of centen-
malls and semi-centennials it is appro-
pirate that the semi-centennial of the
Iowa state fair should be celebrated
fair that cannot be surpassed any
where in the world. This is the high
aim and purpose OF those who are plan
ming for the Iowa fair OF 1904. To
make the occasion noteworthy it is
proposed that there shall be reunion
of all those who assisted in the forma-
ton of the first fair or attended the
same, and especially Of the exhibitors.
Not very many. 1t will be anticipated,
will be found to attend this remarka-
BILE reunion; and yet, Secretary Simp-
son has already received letters from a
number Of those who would be eligible
to participate in this gathering. The
first state fair probably drew from at
most dozen counties In the southeast
ern part of the state. and most Of this
persons who attended live there now.
But the names Of the survivors will be
secured as far as possible and re-
union be arranged for all who can at
tend the semi centennial OF the state
fair organization.
1t is a matter of congratulation that
the first secretary OF the state agricul-
tural society is still alive and in good
health. This Is the venerable DR.. j. NJ.
Shaffer, OF Keokuk. He was practic-
ing physician for many years and con-
tinued UP to a few years ago. when he
retired. He has always taken a lively
interest In the warl. of the society. He
was not only first secretary, but con-
tinued as secretary for many years,
and much of the success Of the early
fairs was due to him.
AS marking the mi-centennial an
niversary of the first Iowa state fair.
there will be for the first time opened
for the state fair of 1904. which begins
Aug. 10. the largest and most magnifi-
cent state fair building ever erected in
Iowa, geenral exhibition hall as COM
plete and convenient as any in the
country. This Is the new building to
be known as the agricultural. hortt-
cultural and dairy building" After
fifty years OF success with old-fash-
toned exhibition halls the completion
of this new fireproof structure will
mark new era for the state fairs. 1t
was provided for by special appropria-
ton OF the thirtieth general assembly.
The building is now under construction
the walls have been erected and in a
week or two the roof will be placed. It
will be all finished. the walks >complet-
ed and everything In fine order before
the opening day of the fair
The new building will be 100 by 300
feet In area, the walls of brick and
stone steel truss roof, OF simple design
and most conveniently arranged. The
lighting will be superb and every corr
ner OF the great structure will be good
for the show of products. 1t will be the
central building OF the fair. and all the
main agricultural, horticultural and
dairy exhibits, including dairy machin-
cry, can be seen In this one place. It Is
conveniently located within 100 feet of
the splendid livestock pavilion erected
two years ago. and the two will be con-
nected with good walks. It's erection
will avoid the necessity for much hill
climbing.
With the new building filled, other
large buildings will be made available
for exhibits that were badly crowded.
The poultry department. for instance.
will be removed to the old agricultural
hall, which will give that department
three times as much room as before
and make 1t possible to display all
the poultry under cover and have the
incubators in the same place. Last
year the poultry house was filled and
coops We're placed over the hillside.
The large exposition building and
the old horticultural building will both
be relieved and the space thus made
available will be OF great value IN
properly placing all the exhibits. With
the added room the managers OF the
fair are preparing to receive the great
est collection of exhibits of every kind
every Drought lOSclhcI CT diiy 1oS''
state fair. This, the seni-centennial.
will be doubly important.
80
A feature Of the Iowa state fairs
becoming more popular every year Is
the camping park in the fair grounds.
The men who planned for these fairs
wisely secured beautifully wooded
tract of land lying back upon the
hills. where there is room for a thoI-
sand campers and their outfits. An
nually many farmers drive to the fairs
from long distances and camp out with
their families on the ground. where
there is shade and water in abundance,
and camping space is free to all.
The fair managers have followed the
policy for a number of years of pro-
viding free amusement features in con-
nection with the Iowa state fairs, be-
lieving that very many who attend
these fairs have but slight opportunity
for witnessing first class specialties
such as are secured here to vary the
programs. This year the state fair
managers have secured list of at
fractions every one first class. These
amusement features go in between
races in the open air at the race track
or in the evening when the greattspec-
tacular Pains mt. Pelee, or the Fall
Of st. Pierre" Is to be given.
A new feature for the Iowa state fair