The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-13
A GREATER FAIR NEXT YEAR.

The State Fair has been a success.
1t has made money; it has drawn the
largest crowds in its history; it has
set a high standard Of excellence in
exhibits and displays. The Times
Dispatch congratulates the directors
and urges them to begin now to rian
for a better. more dignified AMI more
instructive exposition Of Virginias
resources and products. The fair 10
not a money-making enterprise; II ts
an educational gathering. To realize
its treme ndous possibilities demands
broad vision and a keen sense Of civic
responsibility. 1t should be made into
a noble instrument for welding all
parts of the State together in the cause
OF prosperity and progress. Those
two words might well be taken as the
motto for all future State fairs
The prime aim of the directors shoo.o
be to emphasize the agricultural IN
dustrial and educational features Oh
the fair and make it less circus. The
Midway features are only side issues;
they should not be permitted TO domi-
nate the real. serious interests or TO
set the tore of the entire underteS-
ing. The visitors certainly should De
amused. They expect recreation. anu
the shows do attract crowds. But they
should not be allowed to degenerate
into silly. vulgar and cheap stunts.
The people of Virginia are too 'ateih'
gent TO need this kind of pleasure as
an incentive to visit the fair. They
do not want to bring their wives and
children into contact with Suggestive
ness or rowdyism- By far the cest
amusements at this years show were
the admirable and interesting acts pro.
vided free BY the management The
races. drills. vaudeville and fireworks
were well worth seeing and pleased
III. crowds The people are willing
TO trust the management to furnish the
right kind OF recreation, and VIII cot
miss the wrong kind. Let the money
! b. spent on few attractions of real
. merit.
Excellent plans for improving next
years fair have already been men
toned. We trust they will b. carried
out. They should be Of the permanent
kind. calculated 20 add to the real
, value o. the institution larger ann
! finer Srandstand Is an essential Bet
{ ter street car accommodations. with
more switches 90 prevent delays In
handling the crowds. should be pro-
Vidal Tho walks and roads should be
treated wirh oil or in some other way
made d8sr-fre" y better division 81
the grounds TO pre.cEi congestion Is a
necessity. A0ov. al else. better build
. ir.zs Sor the display Of stock and farm
! products should hs Constructed.
/ I'Edoubt.diy tire mos, valuable and
interesting feature % this years fair
NSs the exhibit % Virgins farm pro-
ducts These really represent y!r-
Einis. Horses ard sheep and cows may
b. imported 20 asd 20 the attracuvenc.s
% IN" display. bot they do no; mean
ss much as homegrown products
Corn displayed - = boy from Amelia
means corn grown in Virginia 4
magnificent exhibit 81 apple. show.
what, our own orchards can prodsce
Alfalfa and vegetables speak for the
fer-iEty of virginia fields. A spa
oi1us and durable building for thess
.,hihits should be the IRIS, care Of the
. directors.
Much has been done 20 improve the
! fair. The present success should stim.
y slsss TIE dsreessss. tss sssts DEPART.