Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-08-24
THURSDAY. AUGUST "a, 1911
THE COUNTY FAIR.

that should have the support OF ev-
cry citizen OF the county. 1t should
not belong to a few at the county
seat towns, but to every man, woman
and child in the county. Everyone
should have Its best interest at heart
and help, all that is In his power, to
make 1t a success. To the fact that
this Is not the case is due the failure
OF so many county fairs.
Petty jealousies between towns and
the feeling on the part Of many OF
the farmers that the town Is trying
to make something off them, has
blighted the prospects of many fair.
Its success depesds upon the united
efforts Of town and country; neither
can carry 1t to a successful issue with
out the help and support Of the other.
At first, the fair was market
place where farmers and stockmen
met for the purpose of buying and
selling and trading stock. From this
It has developed into the present day
fair, with its display Of fine horses
cattle, hogs and poultry; Its grains
fine arts and speed ring-all Of which
are necessary to its success. An OPP
portunity is afforded to the breeder
of pure bred stock to display the re-
suits of his good Judgment and skill,
to the farmer to show the results OF
his labor, to the artist to display his
handiwork and to the housewife to
demonstrate her abilities in the cul-
mary department. Almost every
line of effort has an opportunity to
advertise at the county fair This
being the fact the fair should have
the hearty support of everybody
farmer, breeder, merchant and ar
tisan), not only by attending the FAIR
but by showing what they have been
growing or making, or what they
have for sale. The fair must be made
a success not only by attendance but
by display along the various lines
that will attract people.
Right here want to say a word
to the breeder and the farmer. Re-
member, this is your fair and not
the county seats. It means more TO
Won than to anyone else that the fair
be a success. To the stranger with
in your gates successful county fair
does not mean that you have bunch
Of pushers in your county seat alone,
but that your county has a bunch OF
wide-awake, up-to-date farmers and
breeders, also. 1t does not mean
that a lot of real estate men are ad-
vertising your farms or a lot OF news
paper men your stock, but that you
farmers and breeders, are doing your
own advertising by showing the peo-
pie what your lands can grow ana
your herds and flocks produce. Many
have the idea that the county fair 10
managed with the purpose Of draw
ing people to town and getting their
money. That 1t Is sort OF catch
penny for the towns. 1t is true some
fairs seem to have been run on that
basis and with that end in view, but
the disastrous results Of every such
attempt should satisfy every
thoughtful person that fair cannot
he run with such an object,
In my judgment, to be a success
the county fair should have a. board
Of managers made up mostly of farm
ers and stockmen, with sbrinklint
of town men. While It should be OF
a sound financial basis and be run t
pay, It should not be conducted as
money-making scheme. 1t is righ
that the stockholders have a fair re
turn on their money, but the frs
object should be advertisement o
your county and section. Show VIVA
YOU can do in every department
where entries are opened The pre-
miums may not be large, perhap
the fair is starting and must feel It
way. Bring out samples Of you
stock end crops, show what you ca
grow and produce, II you win 20
are more than paid by the advertii
ing; II you lose you have shown tbs
YOU have public spirit and are willin
to do what you can to make the Ia
a success. Further, BY comparison
you may be able to see wherein 70
hsEe failed and profit accordingly
have in mind fair that WI
held q few years ago In q sma
country Kansas town. Money priH'
were offered in every department b
IN live stock. Most Of the manAse'
we're breeders Of pure bred atos
ana showed thslr stock. The resu
vas hat without oas p,any n pris'