Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-08-28
A'' ''N'' FOR Big FAIR
Greatest Attraction of the Year
in the Arkansas Valley
WATERMELON DAY
NEXT THURSDAY
Racing, Daylight Fireworks, Novel
Features and Special Events Will
Amuse the Big Crowd

greatest yearly attractions in the state
will hold the boards here for four days
next week. opening on Tuesday Sept. l
Every day Of the Fair will be big day
but the biggest of all will be Watermelon
Day. Thursday. Sept. 5rd. when the big
watermelon pile is served free to the
thousands of visitors and excursionists.
This will be the seventeenth annual fair
for the Arkansas Valley Fair association.
and almost without exception theFair each
succeeding year has been bigger and bet
ter than its predecessor. That this will
be true of the seventeenth Fair is conf
IDENTIFY expected and predicted by the
officers of the Fair association and by the
citizens of Rocky Ford in general.
While this has been an unfavorable
season in some respects and in some
localities, yet crop conditions have so
materially improved in the past few
weeks. that it is predicted the exhibits in
the agricultural department will be near
ly, or quite as good as that of last year.
The necessity of extra effort to secure
good showing has been appreciated by
the Fair management. This effort is
beng made and will produce results
which will both surprise and crafty
visitors at the Fair.
Tho poultry department, in charge Of
Chester Johnson. will be an interesting
feature. More than usual interest has
been taken by the home poultry men, and
there will also be number of exhibits
from abroad. The judging Of the poultry
will be done by D. A. Stoner Of Wichita.
Kans.. an acknowledged authority.
In the other departments the same ae-
tive work is going on. SO that fine. COM
nprehensive exhibit is anticipated.
The improvements on the grounds
have been considerable. A number Of
new stalls have been built for race
horses. The stalls for the show stock
have been moved back TO the west and
south part Of the grounds. leaving
fine open space in front Of them for
showing off the stock and for people to
eonsregate. The effect Of these changes
IN the appearance of the grounds is quite
marked and one which all agree is for
the better.
The racing stables are nearly all al
ready occupied with trotting. pacing and
running horses. shipped in from all over
the country. So far the runners are in
the majority: so much in fact that there
may not be the usual number Of harness
races this year, but If there is not. an ex-
ira number of running races i'll be put
or the program for each day. thus keep
ing the amusement program up to its
high standard VI excellence.
At meeting of the Fair directors held
Wednesday of this week. a number Of
additional features and attractions were
decided upon; among which we mention
a ladies half-mile running race for
purse Of $500. on Watermelon Day: a
potato race for good prize between two
sides eaptained respectively by Alex
Yant and Clarence Govreau. on Water
melon Day and also on Friday. the last
DAY Of the Fair. a wild mule race on
Watermelon Day. which is also to be re-
p5ated the following day. This wild
mule race was one of the best features Of
the Fair last year and promises to be
equally exciting again.
A feature of the Watermelon Day
amusement program will be a display of
daylight fireworks similar to that given
last year. but on a much larger scale.
The finance committee appointed at
the watermelon meeting last Friday has
been canvassing this week and has met
with good success. The committee on
melons has also been busy arranging for
the big watermelon pile required to salts
fy the thousands of next week visitors.
The music for the Fair promises to be
a better feature than it was last year
Arrangements are well under way for
attendance of bands on Watermelon Day
from Las Animas, and also from La
Junta. In addition to this it is expected
that the Arkansas Valley Drum Corps
will come down from Pueblo. These
bands will meet trans and escort the
excursionists to the FAIR Grounds. In
addition to the visiting bands. the Rocky
Ford band will furnish music during the
entire fair.
Exhibitors are urged TO make entries
early. They can be made up town al
the office OF G. M. Hall. secretary Of ths
Fair, up to Monday night, after that at
the Fair grounds. Entries in the cattle