The Mena weekly star., 1908-05-21
-1---l717I7-3I7 -7l71777777777s7 THE ANNUAL FAIR.


 A superintendent of department in Mena's Twelfth Annual Fair, to be held in August IS, l9 and 20, has communication in this issue of The Star in which he urges upon the people to prepare early for the fair by studying the premium list and then developing the particular ex- hibits with which they prefer to compete.
 This is a matter of importance, and the success of the fair depends much upon the suggestions being followed. It is entirely true that Mena and Polk county have made some remarkable exhibits of pro- ducts that were simply gathered from garden, orchard or farm where no special care or attention had been given, but the purpose of fair is largely to stimulate producers to study and practice the best methods, and it was for this reason that the officials of the fair have made spe- cial effort to get the premium list out early this year. Naturally, too, it is of interest to all to show what GAN be raised here, as well as what is usually grown without special study or effort.
 The people of Mena are making an especial effort this year. In addition to giving much larger pre- miums for u ie usual products and adding new features, they are mak- ing purchsae of a tract of land to be devoted to the use of the fair for years to come. On this land much must be expended for improvements, all of which means a heavy drain upon our liberal and public spirited business men, who this year, as in the past, are bearing practically the whole burden--a burden made doubly heavy because some prefer to reap their full share of the benefits and bear none of the load
 The list of Mena's subscribers is yet is far from complete, as much more money is still to be se- cured, and business men, private citizens and those in the country outside of Mena who love their town and their county and desire both to make good showing and make the progress that will be theirs when properly advertised-and nothing does it better than a fine fair are earnestly requested to lend aid to the work, to put their nam es on the honor roll of those who do their share. This is especially neces- sary this year. It has grown so year by year as the fair nd cost of con- conducting it has grown. It is hoped that another year other meth ods may be adopted that will bring more into the work and that will bring more cooperation from the people outside of Mena than in the past, and it should be done. The farmers, the gardeners. the fruit growers and the stock raisers not only have received most of the pre- mium given, and will continue to do so, but after all they receive as great or greater benefit from the better development of products than any other class.
 Another thing. If anyone has any article or production of especial merit for which no premium is of fered, bring it in. It will gladly be given space and notice, and a pre- mium may be offered another year. The whole purpose of the fair is to develop the best in anything valuable that can be grown in Mena, and then let the world and each other know about it.
 In the office of The Star are lists of the subscribers to both the premi- um list fund and the fund to pay for and improve the grounds. and per sons who wish to help are invited to put their names on one or both for any amount they feel they can afford. They will be printed at intervals in both Mena papers and in the premium booklets to be issued later.
 WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL