Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-09-20
PLEASED THE
CROWDS
The Annual Street Fair Better
Attended Than Any Previous
Event Of It's Kim.

"ss~1vNO Ae0W nm AAVV1U0O
Event Of It's Kind.
The 1911 Street Fair is now a
thing Of the past. It was one of the
very best attended of all fairs ever
held here. And everybody seemed to
be jolly and have good time. The
free attractions were good and were
witnessed by thousands every after
noon and evening. The hay rack
rubes were enjoyed by all and the
Velde Trio did some clever stunts and
had a bunch of well-trained dogs
that were eager to perform. A good
display of fireworks was given at the
railroad park every evening. The
miniature farm drew a steady stream
Of visitors and was the delight of
young and old. The band concerts
by the Willmar Military Band we're
musical treats thoroughly enjoyed by
ALL.
The exhibits of products of the
county were immense. The fine dis
play in the horticultural hall was an
eye-opener to all people from other
localities who were here, and even to
many of our home folks. The great
benefit of these annual expositions Of
products is the stimulus it gives to
people generally to try and produce
the best Of everything. The county
could we'll afford to appropriate an
amount equal to what the State pro-
vides each year, to be paid out in
these competitive exhibitions.
There were only two paid attrac-
tlons on the streets,-the Swedish
National Dancers and a moving pic
ture show. Both did a satisfactory
business. Two tent shows from the
State Fair grounds had applied for
space,-but one went broke there and
disbanded, and the other was offered
special inducements to go to Milwau-
kee. The fair committee has a case
OF damages against Mrs. Agnes Kiel-
st. Aubiens of West St. Paul who
was under written contract to fur
nish an up-to-date merry-go-round
for the fair. She threw down the
Willmar Fair in favor of the St. Paul
Seventh Street Carnival. The loss
was most keenly felt by the Street
Fair committee, as these riding de-
vices are the best revenue producers.
There were so many other things to
attract the attention of the little
folks that many Of them did not miss
the merry -go-round, but had the ma
chine been here it would have done a
record business.
The members of the 1911 Fair COM
mittee, aside perhaps Of the presi-
dent, did much hard work to make
the fair the success that it proved to
be. Messrs. 0. R. Berkness, C. B..
Carlson, Tjosvold, Wellin, and Ed
Benson were the financial committee.
Selmer Berg was the promoter of
the Civic parade. F. G. Handy man
aged the auto parades. Peter Bonde
gave his time and much of his means
to reproduce the miniature farm and
old mill. He was assisted by Messrs.
Eben Lawson, Ed Magnuson, C. A.
johnson, Hugh Campbell, Horton
Sperry, VIM. Peterson and r. w.
Stanford, who all donated their time
and services. L. A. Tjosvold laid
off from his position the whole week
to help take care of the street ar
rangements. The fireworks were in
charge Of C. A. Johnson, Of the firm
Of Oman & johnson, assisted by Hor-
ton Sperry and two other boys, and
the way they made the fire fly was
not slow. Mr.. G. c. Selvig, assisted
by John Ahlstrom, Fred Powell, G. j.
Bjornberg, and Gunder Osmundson,
was busy early and late in the Hor-
ticultural Hall. Mesdames James
Sanderson and M. T. Sandbo pre-
sided over the art and domestic ex-
hibits, which in the opinion Of the
Visiting judges would have done cred
, it to a city ten times the size OF
Willmar. The cattle exhibit was car
ed for by G. L. McNelly, the teache,
of agriculture at the Willmar higl
school. The poultry exhibit was in
charge Of Mr.. J. B. Boyd and Har.
old Hennings. At most any time OF
the day bunch Of poultry raisers
could be found at this tent discuss
ing the merits Of different kinds o1
fowls. And we must not forget
''Billy" Johnson, the secretary, who
was expected to be everywhere at al
times. Gov. A. E. Rice gave valuabl.
service in securing judges Of un.
doubted ability for the various ex.
hibits. :s ~.
| No one knows the amount Of worl
entailed in the production of a fai1
like that produced at Willmar las
week, except those in charge. A goot
cure for the thoughtless faultRnder:
and Gckers would be for them to ge
onto the committee themselves on,
year and try their luck at the work
Not that we are worrying over tn,
kickers.. It is impossible to place tn
liunk and impediments of fair il