The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-26
PROSPECTS GOOD
 FOR BIG FAIR
Gates Will Be thrown Open in
 Ten More Days
HoLCoMB IS UBILANT
thousands of People Visited Ground. Yesterday and Seem to He Deeply Interested In the sAccess
 of the Interprise

The opening of the great Alabama State Fair is just 10 days distant. On October 6 the gates will swing wide for a fair which will more resemble an exposition.
 The triumph or the Alabama State Fair and Exhibit association will be cele- brated in Birmingham by all the people of the state during the nine days fol- lowing This victory is the fruit of about seven years of continual plugging, when, In spite of reverse circumstances, the fair has been put on every year.
 First it became necessary to educate the people into the habit of coming to Bir- mingham, and to create confidence in the ability of the business men to put on a good show. Before the new grounds were opened there had sometimes been disappointment in the Birmingham fair.
 During the first few years it became known that the State Fair had as a basis the largest grounds in the south, one of the finest circular race tracks in the country, grandstand and exhibit halle equal to any.
 Ahc 1T Hirs improve
 Every fair has been an improvement over the one preceding, until at this time it has practically become an exposition. Backed by the business men and orgari- zations of the city. with the absolute confidence of the people, the association has been able to plan big things, and to spare no expense in making the fair a success.
 Hence 1t is that this year half the free attractions are booked by Brming- ham alone. of all the southern fair cir cult. and this fair is sure to set high CT mark than ever before.
 With every condition pointing to suc- cess, 1t is believed that at last the as- sociation will not only pay of its old debts, but come out with funds sufficient to put on the fair next fall This is the triumph Of persistence over hard knocks It will be celebrated on Birmingham day by the people of the city, when stores will close and the whole city turn out to do it's part.
 President Holcomb Talks
 A fine example of the interest Birming- ham people are taking is evidenced by the fact that some 4ooo people went ou. yesterday to look over the grounds. and through the exhibit halls.
 Said President J. H. Holcombe yester- day: ''The grounds were open to the pub lie and great crowds passed through from morning until evening I am de- lighted with the interest being shown, and believe that we have the citizenship here aroused. They know the fair asso- ciatioh by reputation, and consider a fair with the indorsement of the Business Mems league as good as a bank note.
 Already exhibits are being placed in the buildings. l want to urge all the merchants and other exhibitors to get to work early this week and have everythins In place before the rush Is on They can get much more satisfactory attention from the fair officials and be better as- sured of results''
 Mrs. J. B. Reid, head of the women s department, also calls the attention of the ladies that they must get their ex- hibits in early Many have already been received. and she is on the grounds dur ing the day ready to take charge of en- tries and care for them.
 It is announced that the association has engaged Nappis Military band to fur nish the music during the free attrac- tions, while the Navassar Ladies band, the greatest In the country will give free concerts in the grandstand, both day and night.