The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-07-11
BY II. e. BLAKEsLEE. JACKSON.


South has received satisfactory impetus
from a number of sources during the
past few years, but from none as 1t has
from the county and state fairs that
have sprung up and fiourished in every
southern state. Mississippi is no ex-
ception to this rule, but on the other
hand is strong evidence OF its correct
ness. The number OF county fairs has
been largely increased in the last four
years, and all of them seem to be
growing stronger year by year in ex
hibits and popularity. To these insti-
buttons should be given large credit for
the prosperity that has attended the
agricultural people during the past few
years.
The Mississippi State Fair, which is
q fixture in Mississippi events now,
was begun four years ago on a very
small scale. The writer solicited the
two thousand dollars with which 1t was
begun in the early fall OF 1904, believ-
ing that it would prove OF value to the
agricultural and stock-raising inter-
ests of the state, and that the people
would accord a liberal patronage o a
well-conducted institution OF this char
acter. The money was subscribed by
the business men OF Jackson, with the
understanding that they were not to re-
ceive from it at any time direct profits
in the way of dividends, but that they
might expect it to benefit them d
rectly by beneitting the whole state.
Only a very few weeks were allowed
for making preparations for the corn
and cotton carnival which was held
during December, 1904. However the
exhibits in all lines were especially sat
isfactory and the attendance all that
could have been desired. 1t was clear
" shown hat the people of Mississippi
wanted a good state fair and would &C
cord it a liberal patronage. The pro-
moters then decided that it should be
made a permanent event, and with that
idea in view the Mississippi Industrial
Exposition company was formed for the
purpose of holding the Mississippi State
Fair each fall. 1t was again under
stood that no dividends should be paid
upon the capital stock, and that all
monies accruing should be invested in
permanent Improvements and increased
premiums for agricultural, horticul-
tural, live stock, poultry, ladies' work,
etc.
While the old capitol building was
sufficient to hold the exhibits offered
the first year it was found necessary
the next fall to provide a number OF
large tents to take care OF the exhlb-
itors who applied for space. Stalls
were supplied for live stock and tenn
porary buildings for the commercial
exhibits. A grandstand was erected
and the old state race track, forty years
old, rebuilt. The fair vas again all
that it's most ardent friends could have
desired, although necessarily postponed
by yellow fever quarantine. The at
tendance was from almost every county
in the state, the exhibits from q major
ity Of them.
In February, 1906, the state legisla-
ture granted to the fair q six-year
lease on the old capitol and grounds for
q nominal sum, thereby recognizing the
undertaking as one Of merit and giving
I o it the official Endorsement OF the au-
thorities. This action was indorsed by
the people all over the state, and appli-
cations for space came in stronger than
ever. 1t was found necessary this year
to build a large building known as the
Liberal Arts hall. Also to enlarge
the space set aside for live stock and
provide a temporary place for poultry.
A large amount of permanent improve
ments were made during the year and
the fair in the fall was another splen-
did success, although the destructive
storm in September destroyed a portion
of the crops being grown for exhibit
and caused a general depression. The
attendance was excellent and interest
at fever heat.
Last year, 1907, it was seen from
early indications that more space for
agricultural exhibits would be required
and a splendid agricultural building
was contracted for, completed and
packed with exhibits. This building is
one of the largest and best arranged
fair buildings in the South, being al
most 300 feet in length and more than
$50 feet in width. Many other improve
ments of a permanent nature were
made and the general exhibits COM
pared favorably with any to be found in
the South.
This year a splendid building for
poultry will be erected and other i'm
provements made as funds at hand will
permit. The agricultural building will
be extended if possible, the space al
ready applied for making it appear that
this will be necessary. A permanent
fence around the grounds is needed
and will be built if possible this year,
or next yea by all means. 1t is ex-
pected hat this will be the best year
for the fair since its organization, and
that fully loo, 900 people from all coun-
ties in Mississippi and many other