Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-10-06
LEWISTOWN, MONT. Oct. 6, 1905
MONTANA FAIRS.

Nearly one-half Of the counties in
the state held fairs this year and so
far as can be learned a large meas
ure of success attended every effort.
The attendance was good and the
weather, except in one or two instan-
ces, all that could be desired
But were the exhibitions of Mon
tana's products what they should have
been, at any of them? Probably not.
We know this is true of Fergus cOun-
ty. While there was a good display of
vegetables and fruit, the exhibits
were confined to very few persons,
showing how little interest was taken
and how the capacity of the space de-
voted to agricultural products would
have been taxed had the farmers been
interested in showing what they can
produce.
And as to stock, the exhibit was
good, what there was of it, but a lack
of interest was evident in this depart
ment. Just imagine what a showing
could have been made in this great
stock county if everyone. or even a
goodly number, had taken an interest
in the matter.
This is not in the nature of fault
finding with the people or with the fair
association. The first will say, this is
a county of long distances, and there
is too much trouble and expense in
making exhibits
The premiums offered little in
ducement. The association will claim
that it is doing the best it can with
the receipts realized and at its COM
mand, and that the premiums given
are as high as any in the state and
better than those offered by many of
the older fair associations throughout
the east, which is true.
Now, how to overcome all of these
objections and difficulties and create
an interest in the fairs, is question
Tor the future to solve, but energetic
effort, better attractions and larger
lCoCiptS Will 81 ldl III lldl ulToCllOU.
II is true that considerable expense
and trouble is incurred in making eX-
hibits, but a sense of pride and pub
lie spirit in making the fairs a sue
cess must prevail. The money offer
ed in the premiums should not be the
only consideration. 4 fair, which is
Drpp1C lnnanInnt
is a difficult proposition to handle.
Besides it is no easy task to please
everyone. Tastes differ as to amuse,
ments and attractions.
The Butte Miner, in recent edi-
torial, on the fairs held in Sweet
Grass and this county, offers the fol-
lowing observations, which may be
helpful in future exhibitions:
1t is going to take a little time for
the directors of some of the county
fairs in Montana to strike the proper
proportion of things.
Here come the Yellowstone Leader
of Big Timber, and the Fergus County
Argus, of Lewistown, and each has an
editorial upon the fair held in its re-
spectlve community, and each has
just the opposite complaint to make.
The paper from the town down the
Yellowstone finds that the Sweet
grass county farmers did not take the
interest in their fair which it feels
they should have done, and as re-
suit the exhibits were not thoroughly
representative of the district.
The Lewistown paper, on the other
hand, reports marked gain in the
exhibits in many departments. but
complains that the racing program was
not what it was hoped it would be.
1t appears that few of the out
side horses that have been making the
fair circuit in Montana found their
way to LeWistown.
Big Timber was long on races and
short on exhibits.
There is dual purpose in holding
county fair.
1t is intended to advertise the re-
sources of the community and also to
afford entertainment to the public.
With many families living in the
country the fair is looked forward to.
especially by the younger element,
as an annual holiday that is not equal
ed during the entire year.
For the enjoyment of these people
the fair must be attractive and there
must be some other features than the
exhibits.
Probably the town people find more
interest in the products of the farm
and garden displayed, at least it is al
ways noticed at the state and Other
fairs visited by Butte people that the
visitors from this city find the show
of potatoes, apples and all sorts OF
fruits and vegetables and livestock the
most attractive features of the fairs
and it is these things which they tall
about when they return and tell Others
that they should have seen.
The races do not advertise the coun
" holding the fair, but they help tC
bring the people to it, and success