The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-07-23
Preparations in Progress for the
Great Event
MANY DRAWING CARDS
Officers of the State Agricultural
Society Say Fair Will be the
Best Ever

Preparations for the state fair go
on apace and the indictlons are for
the best yet held, and that's saying
a good deal. The fair opens Aug. S1st
and closes September 5th. Special
railroad rates are much nearer an
actuality than they were a week ago
and the officials still hope to secure
material reductions from the regular
rates.
Mush attention and large sum Of
money has been spent this season
on the race track, and when work
ceased, May 8, it was possible to see
all of the horses all of the time from
all parts of the grandstand and
bleachers seating over 10000, where
as the third quarter had formerly
been so depressed as to practically
hide the horses from the spectators.
At the conclusion of the regarding
the entire track was resurfaced with
six inches of mixed clay and loan,
and the trainers and the weather
have done the rest.
During the three days of the Twin
City Driving associations meet Jn-
ly 4-6, practically every horse that
won a heat took a new record, and
the events, both in speed and close
ness of finish, were sportier than
has been seen on the State Fair
tracks for years. In referring 70
this fact, the Minneapolis Journal
said: This speaks volumes for the
condition of the track, which has
practically been rebuilt since the
last state fair meeting The soil is
a firm clay that holds together and
does not cup or break away from the
impact of the horses hoof when at
speed. Prominent drivers in atten-
dance upon the meeting pronounce it
the making of the fastest track in
the country.
None of the horses entered this
season will attract more attention
or real interest than Dana Patch,
2:05 IA, daughter Of the worlds
champion PAGER. She will naturally
be watched on account OF her breed
ing, but more on account of her
wonderful performances of last sea-
son when, as green PAGER, she gave
extraordinary promise of great speed.
The crack squad of the University
Minnesota, which will be one of the
features of the program given in the
hippOdrome each evening of the Fair,
is unquestiOrably one of the smartest
aggregatiOns devoted to perfection in
military evolution and the manual of
arms. 1t was organized in the fall
OF 1905 by Waiter H. Sprague, of the
university, who, as a graduate of the
Shattuck Military school at Faribault
and member of the crack squad of
that institution, was especially fit
ted for the work he undertook. The
drill has been steadily improved some
of the men in the squad having been
with it for three years. The Captain
for next year is w. L. Councilman,
a competent, experienced man, and
the squad will without doubt, be able
to put up drill which will not only
entertain, but will be thrilling and
well worth seeing.
Secretary c. N. Cosgrove has drawn
elaborate plans for the construction
on the site of the old Woman's build
ing, of canvas canopy and exposi-
tion building to be known, as the
Oriental bazaar. In general scheme
both as to lines and colors. this ORR
entail bazaar will be something new
to exhibitors on the Minnesota State
Fair grounds, and the great demand
for space from all classes of exhibi-
tors leads to the conclusion that the
Oriental bazaar will be none too
small to take care of the overflow.