The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-04

Messrs. w. J. Craig, passenger traf-
fc manager Of the A. c.. L. and Albert
S. Root, of the Carolina Trucking De-
Velopment Company, have recently re-
turned from a visit to Tampa, Fla,
where they o in the Tampa fair,
getting such ideas from the displays
and exhibits there as would prove of
benefit to them in the making I'D Of
their exhibits for the jamestown ex-
position and for the State Horticul-
tural fair. which will be held ia this
city next fall.
Concerning the Tampa fair and the
movement now or foot to establish
q permanent annual fair in this city,
The Messenger is furnished the fol-
lowing:
The Tampa fair was organized
three years ago. The first of these
held was a miniature fair, but the in
terest displayed justified a larger
movement, and the state legislature
was induced to make an annual apprO-
priatiOn Of SIS, 900, the whole to be
awarded as premiums to the various
participating counties and individual
exhibitors. This money is distributed
in amounts varying from 5000 to $50
for county displays, and from $500 to
81 for individual displays. There are
about 5000 premiums s1ven.
The fair association composed OF
several of the leading business men
in Tampa arranged for the mainten-
ance of the fair by gate receipts n
10y ~exaCting a certain proportion OF
the receipts (about 35 per cent? Of the
various midway shows.
"The interest has steadily increased
in these fairs and there IS much com
petition between the counties and in
dividual growers. In discussing the
enterprise with Mr.. Brown, the presi-
den of the association, he says that
the direct effect of it's influencing de-
sirable h~Omeseekers IS very marked,
and he can cite many cases Of %cOlOnists
who have been located in Florida SIM
ply by being impressed by the pro
ducts displayed.
Mr.. Huffaker, SECRETARY Of the asso-
citation, states hat re can give the
names Of hOmseekers who have estab-
liShed in every county which mas benn
represented at the fair, and who would
never nave come to Florida had it not
been for the occasion.
1.-The advantages which Tampa itself
derive from it are manifold, n 10
the fruit and truck grower, and espc-
cially to the STOCK raiser, it is OF OK
ceptional vaue.
The SIS, 900 of premiums will almost
pay the counties and the Individual
growers the amount it costs them to
make an exhibit of their resources.
and the exchange of ideas as to the
methods of cultivation, fertilization,
shipping, varieties Of stock feeding,
ETC., has done much to further these
industries in that locality.
There is a broad scope given to the
exhibits at the fair. In addition TO
those relative to agriculture, live
stock and poultry, industrial and
: manufacturing Enterprises are repre-
scented, and premiums are also award
ed for educational and art displays. The
fair was not inaugurated solely for
the benefits to be derived by the actual
participants; it is extensively adVer
tised not only by the fair association,
but by all the railroads which are
affected by the traffc-as a conse-
uuence there are thousands of visitors
eac hyear, each of whom becomes an
advertising agent LUZ Nno S'o'o y"
Florida.
North Carolina is equally if not
more, resourceful than Florida. An an
nual fair established in Wilmington
will mean as much to the development
of North Carolina as the Florida State
fair means to Tampa and its sur
rounding country. The movement
now in progress to establish a perma-
nent fair in this city-to have its own
grounds, buildings, race course, etc.,
should be supported by those who
have an interest ia the development
of the Jul of our section of the
state.