The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1906-09-12

from the case In North Dakota, the
fair being held alternate years at
Grand Forks and Fargo. This was
Fargos first year at it, and for a
"warming-up heat" it was a record
breaker. If they keep UP the pace
set this year, they win need couple
of years for additional training, with
good strong working out next fall,
! when Grand Forks has it's inning.
The first thing that strikes the Wis
itor is the general attractiyeness of
the buildings, ali of which possess un-
usual architectural beauty, as well as
convenience and stability While the
buildings are dissimilar, there is
enough Of symmetry to make each
structure a fitting part of the whole.
Even the stock barns and judging pa
vilion partake of the artistic in APP
pearance. The planning and laying
out of the grounds is not common
place; in fact it is quite extraordi-
nary, and the individual who fathered
the idea can just feel good over IL.
While all the buildings are conven-
lent, one in particular is outstanding
and that is the swine building. 1t is
by far the best thing of its kind we
have seen anywhere. Aside from the
pens, 1T has a spacious arena for
showing and overhead there are ac-
Communications for the spectators. The
construction is such that the visitors
can view not only the judging but the
animals in pens also, and be comfort
able while doing it. The structure is
airy and cool and 1t was a popular
lounging place for the weary during
the week. Managers of other fairs
could with profit study this building
and pattern after it. AS whole. there
is little to criticise in the buildings
save this, that sooner or later they will.
have to be enlarged. They will need
twice as much stock room by the time
the state fair get around to Fargo
again. This year they had more stock
than they could comfortably accom-
MEDIATE, and 1t is not likely to grow
any less The stock judging pavilion
Twill likely be ample for a long time.
1t has seating capacity for all the peo-
Ilple that are likely to watch the con-
tests for years to come, and the arena
Twill accommodate any ordinary class
of stock. Outside of and surrounding
the amphitheatre there are two rows
of stalls which will accommodate
considerable stock
The attendance all week was ex-
ceptional, and was beyond what
could reasonably have been expected
1t is claimed that there were $4,000
paid admissions during the week. Peo-
pie began to arrive on the grounds
early Monday forenoon and the supply
held out well till; the close. The
weather was somewhat mixed, but of
the finest up till Thursday when reg
ular downpour set in and kept ii Up
for several hours. After that the
weather department repented, and
wound up the week as it had been
started. For couple of days the mud
was very near the end of the limit
but the crowds did not seem to mind
1T, even that portion of it which was
Isshod in white. Already considerable
kcement sidewalk has been laid and a
generous portion more Is sadly needed
In case of wet weather. But they have
done exceedingly well with sidewalks
considering that this the first year,
THE grounds and buildings were
well lighted with electricity, a feature
Ihibitors and visitors alike. The light
ing plant was installed on the ground
and was kept in operation from twi-
light to dawn. Every evening, when
weather permitted, the grounds were
I;crowded with merrymakers.
Fargo has an up-to-date street car
system and track had been laid to the
grounds with terminal loop inside the
gates. which did much to prevent the
usual jamming incident to such oc-
casions. The transportation facilities
were not completed when the fair
opened, but were much improved by
the end Of the week., and by another
year accommodations will be ample.
The exhibits generally were numer-
Gus and above the average in attrac-
Tive qualities. In point of Importance
the live stock exhibits were clearly
outstanding. Numerically 1t was
strong and in point of merit it was
well up to standard as compared
with older state fairs. Next came the
machinery exhibits. The threshing
|machine exhibit alone was bewilder-
ing, there being twenty eight differ
TENT makes on the grounds. Machine
men who were present stated that this
exceeded in variety the exhibit made
at the worlds fair at st. Louis. The;
early date of the fair interfered SER
iously with the cereal exhibit, and it is
to be hoped that farmers who this
year have grains and grasses of UNI
usual merit, will save and prepare
stlle same for next years state fairs,
for later date is not probable, In
asmuch as the fair must have atten-
dance and people simply viii not att
tend fairs when a large crop is wait
sing the sickle. IL this matter. was
taken UP by counties and the exhibits
gathered by q committee the year pre-
vious, North Dakota could fiji a build
ling many times the capacity of the
spresent one with exhibits that would
kdemand attention anywhere. This Is,
the gfanary Of the world and we are
hardly making the most OF our oppor-
tunitv The agricultural college had a.
squite complete and very attractive
display, but they cannot do 1t All. Now
Els the time to prepare for next years.
fair. ana 1t is up to the Individual