The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1911-08-11
A County Fair

The recent exhibition was one of the
best ever seen in the county and its
promoters are to be congratulated on
the splendid exhibition they gave.
However, the promoters of the last
meeting, under the corporate name of
1.-The Lancaster Fair, were incorpo-
rated for only one year, rather what
would be called hand to mouth pro-
ceeding, and the chances are that
should the association be again in
under the same name that
the same personnel would not be again
in the new company, new
members would replace some of the
old ones, new methods would be intro
duced and many changes made, for
better or worse it is hard to conjecture.
Down in Franklin county where they
give one of the very best exhibitions
in the state, the clamor of the citizens
of the county for stock was so persist
ent that it was deemed necessary to
increase the capital stock.
Now with all due Difference to the
many fairs that have gone before, and
they were all good ones, we believe
that the citizens of the county should
be given an opportunity to subscribe
for stock, that the fair association
should be county affair, and every
one who desires should be allowed to
have one or more shares; that the
shares should have a nominal value
that would place them within the reach
of all. This method would increase the
interest throughout the county in the
local fair, would make an interest in it
where no interest has ever been before
felt. The capital stock should be
placed at such figure as would permit
of the purchasing of, or taking long
lease on suitable grounds, and then
erecting commodious buildings thereon,
including stables which are lacking at
the present grounds, and which are
sadly needed. Stables would not only
be of vast convenience to the horse
man and visitors to the fair, but they
would prove a source of considerable
revenue, and would pay for themselves
almost in one season. Another advant-
age to be derived from having stables
on the grounds is the providing of con-
veniences for horses from distance in
order that they may be near the ring
side, will not have to go backward and
forward such distance between the
rings, thereby assuming the risk of
being crippled in the crush of autos
and other vehicles incident to the occa-
sion. These things should of course be
done gradually, the earnings each year
used toward equipping and improving
the buildings and grounds, and no d.
vidend declared until every thing in
and about the grounds We're in first
class condition.
Another suggestion which we believe
would improve the local fair, is that
several rings be provided each day
exclusively for Garrard county stock,
and that this fact be extensively adj
vertised before hand in order that our
people may know that they will not
have to compete with the world at
large in order to secure premium for
their stock; this will stimulate them to
get something ready, and we believe if
this method were followed, you would
see ten Garrard county animals in the
ring where you now see one.
We are glad to have the horsemen
from a distance here, end we believe
that premiums should be offered that
would insure their continued attend
ance, but we do not believe that horse
men who make business of handling
show stock and who have the world to
choose from, and any amount of cap
ital with which to secure their entries,
should be allowed to come in and COM
pete with our home production. nor do
our home people believe this, as is ev-
idenced by the continued falling off of
the Garrard county exhibits at the
Garrard county fair.
Another thing, this as we'll as the
majority of the county fairs has re-
resolved itself into a mere horse show,
the old time custom of exhibiting all
the farm products, grains, vegetables
etc. as well as live stock has been
abandoned, much We think, to the det-
riment of the exhibitions.
Let us erect small floral hall, where
not only the productions of the farm
may be exhibited, but also of the dairy
and culinary department; also make
some provision for the ladies to ex-
hibit their needlecraft and other of
their handiwork.
1t would take but very little money
to provide the premium list for this
class of exhibits and it would add very
materially to the attractiveness of the
fair.
We sincerely hope that before the
time comes to think about our next
exhibition that someone will take this
matter up along these lines, and that
with the coming of another Jnly we
NAV see an old fashioned country fair
in Lancaster, with provisions and
premiums for every class of live stock
and farm products raised in Garrard
county.
The Record is, and always has been,
in favor of the extension of the
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