The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-04
.Thev,ra off,

'aThey're off,
 With the breaking of glorious morn ing, perfect weather, the crash of the bands to the strains of 'Dixic'' and the pushing and showing of a crowd of peo- pie, the big gates at the Alabama State Fair grounds swung back yesterday morning at o'clock for the first day of the largest and best fair ever held in Alabama.
 The months of industrious labor on the part of the fair officials, the extensive advertising for the big show and the ate Air spirit. that takes the old folks back to childhood days and brings mem ories of the smaller fairs and practically forces them to the fair grounds, had as- sembled the largest crowd that ever at tended the first day of an Alabama State tair. Before the hour scheduled for the ,ates to open the crowd was there. When the little window at the ticket office was { finally pushed up Harry Hazleton of Pu- l laski, Tenn, had the distinction of buy ing the first ticket of the year.
 Crowds Will Increase Daily
 Of course the crowd yesterday was but small part of the crowds that will att tend when the fair gets to running at full tilt. The music was furnished by Nappis band and the Nat Reiss band, owing to the fact that the celebrated NLiberati's band will not arrive until Sun >day, when sacred concert will be given ht the grounds.
 The busy hammer of the carpenter was 9still at work yesterday putting the fin fshing touches on the decorating and completing the booths for the sandwich man and the numerous stands. Tn spite of the fact that the first day of the fair is usually considered to be one of con strdction and work on the grounds. the officArs of the association were unanimous yestefday in saying that the opening day was the best ever held and that every thing was ready for the crowds of the next 10 dsys.
 Ex1m Principal Speaker
 The opening exercises were short, but of much intere.t. In a very happy speech Culpepper Exum. president of the board of city commissioners of Birmingham, formally opened Nhe fair. At Il o'clock the crowds began to gather around the administration building, where the open
  played several patriotic airs previous to the speaking, and the exercises com menced There were present the officers and dirctors of the Alabama State Fair and Exhibit association, the superintend- ents of the several departments and good sized crowd. David Holt called the crowd to attention and briefly introduced John l.. Parker, chairman of the exec utive committee of the fair association.
 MT. Parker spoke of the ambition of the fair association to make the present fair the greatest success in it's history and of the hope of making Birmingham one of the greatest of convention cities. He stated the fair was more complete than ever before and that indications pointed to success in every particular.
 q could tell you more of our efforts to make this fair our greatest and best effort" said the speaker, but I want you tc hear our city commissioner, whose heart and best efforts are with us in this undertaking. take pleasure in introduce ing Mir. Exum, president of the city com mission
 Welcomes All Dixie
 MT. Exum gave a welcome to the peo- pie of Alabama and surrounding states, on behalf of the members of the fair association, and extended an invitation to all Dixie to attend the best fair in .he south. He spoke of the early strug- ples of the fair association to bring the fair to perfection and highly compliment ed the officers on the results accom- plished.
 We always expect great things N Birmingham and we are seldom disap- pointed. said Mir. Exum. When the state Fair was first inaugurated some Of us were doubtful of it's success. but each gear has seen a wonderful Improvement and we have now the best and greatest state fair in the south and 1t is still growing.
 Tt is our sincere wish and hope that the people of the state will show their appreciation by their attendance and i'm terest in the fair, which is now recog- nixed as a leader not only by the people of the state of Alabama but other states = well. This year we have the be6tl .I U /