The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-22

In view of the fact that two days will be set aside at the Alabama State
 Fair this year for negroes, an appeal has been issued by a number of well
 known colored citizens urging members
 of their race to get behind the project
 and assist in making it success. The address as issued is as follows: Headauarters of Negro Department of the Alabama State Fair, 3S051s Second Avenue.
 Birmingham, Ala, June 15 1903.
 To the colored people the Birming- ham district and of the state of Ala bama, we make this appeal.
 For many years the white people have been holding a fair at Birmingham, but in recent years this fair has not been attended by the coored people to any perceptible degree, due to many req sons. Among which we may state that, heretofore, we have had only one day, no building of any consequence, no or ganization among the colored people to make good a colored department And therefore the fair association did not feel warranted in encouraging negro department But time and conditions bring changes.
 The fair association is in the hands this year of the strong, influential, pa- triotic and chivalrous white mne in an organization known as the Business Mems league of this city These gentlemen de- string to give the negro an opportunity
 for the exhibition of his developments along all lines have seen fit to invite the oF oP ha ored citizens of this city and state to
 join with them in making the negro de- partment of the fair an effective and im- pressive production of the achievements of the race.
 Now, in the light of all the circum- stances and in view of privileges to be accorded this year during the fair the opportunity afforded the race for an evidence of our achievements, the board of managers of the negro depart ment of the Alabama State Fair makes this earnest appeal to the negroes of this district and state to rise to the occasion as never before. And let's have the
 greatest days of the entire ten days of the fair.
 While we urge upon you to attend the fair throughout and to take advantage of the marvellous exhibits that will be there
 yet the two special days allotted to our people we hope to make such days as never before seen in the history Of this city and state.
 We propose to appropriate or rather give away in premiums more than slOOo. There will be ample space in the ne- gro department for an exhibition or the skill and ability of the negro along all lines, whether as merchant, horticultur- ist. agriculturist, scientist. artist, trades 1 man. educator, athlete, or whatever may I be his profession or condition. An op- 1 portunity will be afforded to present our material developments to the world. Need we say to you, men and wom-
 en of our race, that the very personnel | of the men that constitute our board | of managers in the negro department assures in advance the success of the same. And we call upon every man
 and woman to lay aside any feeling that
 you may have had heretofore, forget | the past, blot out all excuses that you | may have had for your failure to at l tend the fair heretofore and let's mar l shal our forces for the good Of our
 race and the upbuilding of our city and | state.
 wish to help the negro that in our breasts, l too burns the fire of patriotism and race
 pride. And when given the chance we | can rise to any occasion to show our in- !, terest as citizens, whether of the munich | pal state or national government. | Educational Day. | On the ninth day of the fair will be the great educational day. The feature of 1 this day will be under the management 1 of some of the ablest men of the race. | On this occasion every school child of 1 Birmingham, Bessemer, Ensley, Pratt 1 City. Woodlawn, Avondale, North Bir- l mingham. Mason City, Vineville and all suburbs are requested to be present. Re- l duced rates will be made for the benefit 1 of the children. And an interesting pro | eramme will be rendered on the grounds. The Great Fraternal Day. 1 On the tenth day of the fair will be
 the great fraternal day. And 1t is
 earnestly desired to put 5000 persons in the line of march, having representa-