The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-13
A REAL FAIR.

Considerable space has been devoted
in these columns of late to insistence
| that the Topeka fair was going to he
a state agricultural exposition in every
sense of the word; that its development
in one short year had been marvellous:
and that it was going to be the great
est fair that had ever been staged in
Kansas. It was only the other day
that a friend remarked that altogether
too extravagant claims were being
made here concerning the fair. That
friend is today a wiser man.
No advance notices or remarks about
what the fair was going to be have
come anywhere near doing it justice.
It's size, its ramifications in every de-
tail, are even far and away beyond
what were the expectations of its most
enthusiastic champions. It's a wonder
fuI fair That's all there is about it.
It's credit to Topeka. Shawnee coun-
ty and Kansas. Nothing approaching
1t has been seen in Kansas before.
Nothing like it viii be seen in Kansas
again until the Topeka fair Of next
year opens its gates. and with the fine
prestige that the fair will achieve this
year, next years show is bound to be
of momentous proportions
During the past two years a number
of large and permanent exhibition
buildings have been placed on the fair
grounds. Those versed in the develop
ment and growth of state fairs were
certain that these buildings would be
large enough for their purposes for
many years to come, and probably for
all time. This judgment was formed
on knowledge of similar buildings on
the grounds Of old and well-established
state fairs in other commemorative
Think of it, the Topeka fair has al
ready outgrown these buildings before
it has well been started on its way.
The magnificent fine arts hall is over
crowded. So is the cattle pavilion. An
emergency tent of large proportions
had to be put up to care for the over
flow from the big cattle barn with its
$40 stalls. This cattle show is larger
than any which has been displayed this
year at the big state fairs in the cen
tral west. It compares more than fav-
orably with the cattle show at the New
York state fair, which is one of the pre-
mier cattle exhibits each year in the
whole United States. Similar condi-
tions prevail in all of the other fair
departments. There wasn't enough
room for the chickens, for the hogs, for
the sheep. Hog exhibitors have had
to crowd their entries into single pens
when they were figuring on getting
three and four pens. It's the same in
the horse pavilion. Aisles on the sides
of this building have been blocked up
to make extra stalls, and there's a sur
plus of exhibits in tents. This was a
poor year for vegetables but there is
nonetheless a remarkable display of
them. The machinery exhibit covers
acres There are special exhibits and
features without number. In the way
of entertainment, there are horse races
that have been unexcelled in this sec
ton of the country. There is a high
class carnival company on the grounds
with clean and interesting shows.
Liberati's famous and excellent band
with grand opera singers is on hand.
And the big evening attraction, the
Last Days of Pompeii is worth two
or three times the price Of admission.
All honor to Seer retary Cook, of the
fair association, to Mr.. Borman, its
president, and to all it's other officials
for the magnificent showing they have
made. This untiring energy, that has
brought about such great results, |
should be appreciated by the people of |
Topeka and its vicinity. This appre- |
citation can best be shown by attending |
the fair. One days visit is not enough |
to see all the sights. Two or three |
trips are necessary.