The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-30
THOUSANDS WATCH PREPARATIONS FOR GREAT STATE FAIR Tour of Grounds Yesterday Showed Things Rapidly
 Rounding Into Shape DECORATORS ARE
 WORKING MARVELS Everyone Who Has Seen Early Prep arations Says Fair Will 0utclass
 Anything of Kind Ever Seen
 in This Section

Fully 10000 people visited the Alabama State Fair grounds yesterday to see the preparations. They saw exhibitors In all the buildings installing their beautiful exhibits. They saw beautiful and talent ed women in the woman's department decorating and arranging booths. They saw the famous Greggs try out their auto act. They were fully entertained all during the day. Now they are ardent boosters of the Alabama State Fair. They believe every word that has been said for the past two months about the Ala bama State Fair. They know 1t is gc- ing to be a good one.
 Comparatively few on the grounds yes- terday were idle Those who have already received their cars were busy arranging the contents Those who had not were busy fixing a place for them. Some half a dozen had already finished their booths and they were viewed with as much avidity as if the fair was in full swing.
 The crowds occupied the grandstand and enjoyed themselves as if in antici- patton of the grand sacred concert which will be given there next Sunday after noon. They went through the main building and viewed the things there and met MT. Frye, the agricultural su- perintendent and Mrs. Reid. the super intendent of the woman's department. They had a good time in general.
 Decorators Are Busy
 Not few enjoyed watching the forces of P. A. o'connor, the official decora- tor, and they seized a few bits of crepe bunting and transferred seemingly ugly and unsightly booth into verltablo paradise. They saw these men scale poles and place a flag at it's end. and they saw the flag unfurl itself to the wind as if in celebration of tho week of enjoyment to come Incidentally speak ing, words of praise might be thrown at the feet of MT. OConnor. for he has certainly proved himself a master hand at decorating. Never before have the buildings and grounds of the Alabama State Fair taken on such an elaborate hue of gay colors and assumed such a gala air.
 MT. O'Connor states that he has signed contracts with most of the larger firms of the city to do their decorating for the fair. He says that the people are in- vesting much in decorations and that with his help tho city is going to as- sume a gala appearance for the fair.
 Oliver Cox will begin work this morn ing on his Birmingham Products build Ing This will be made in the building used last year for automobiles. In this building will be a specimen of everything made in Birmingham. Not only will food products be displayed but all industrial products as we'll. A very unique feature of this display will be the serving of Birmingham luncheon composed of only the foodstuffs made in Birmingham. The display is being greatly patronized by Birmingham nrahufacturers and will be one of the many interesting features of the fair.
 The young ladies who will compete for prizes in the young ladies' individual booth contest, have about completed their booths. Each of them presents a bea;l- tiful appearance and it is going to be hard job for the judges to decide.
 Dr. Hal r. Halstead of tho chicken department has received his chicken GOODS and will begin setting them up today. As fast as they are set up the fowls will be placed and the poultry show will be ready almost before the fair opens. There will be a larger than usual display of Birmingham birds. Entries for as few as one bird and as many as 100 birds have been made by Birminghan n people.
 Dog Show a Feature
 Today week the bench dog show of the Birmingham Kennel club opens. SG- perintendent Jack Riddle says. that never before has such an exhibition been made or planned for southern dog show. "The dog show that will be held this year." said Mir. Riddle, Twill make such an impression on the fair officials that they will never again attempt to hold fair minus a dog show" Many entries are being made and nearly every dog fancier and near dog fancier in Birmingham and Jefferson county has made or is making entries. The show will be held in 0 large tent just back of the poultry build ing. A building was constructed during the early part of August, but a severe storm which swept over this district about the middle of August completely demolished ii and it was too late to build another for thls fair. A new and better one will be built for tho fair next year, however.
 The Boys Corn club and Girls Canning club displays are fast assuming shape and by tomorrow night they will be ready for the opening of the fair. Mrs. Birdie Inzer Robinson and Professor Hobdy have charge of these displays.
 The labor leaders of the city are mal- ing arrangements to declare holiday on Saturday October s, in honor of John MitchelIs coming to Birmingham. They have taken hold of the proposition with both hands and are working heart and soul to make labor day a huge success A committee has been appointed by the Trades Council to take charge of MT. Mitchell and show him the city and en- certain him during the day.
 R.F. LACKEY HELD UP