The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-25
4 SUMTER COUNTY FAIR.
COMMITTEE VISITS ORANGEBURC
FAIR AND RETURN EN-
THUSIASTIC.
Ornngeburg Fair Organized In Sixty
Days Pays n Net Dividend of ST.
600 and Attracts Thousands of
Visitors tn That City.

AiOIu the sumter
Chamber OF Commerce returned from
Orangeburg Thursday night enthusi-
astic over the possibilities OF q couH-
ty fair for Sumter county. 1t is their
belief that what Orangeburg has done
and Is doing along this line can be
duplicated In Sumter and should be
surpassed owing to Sumter's excellent
railroad facilities. The committee
visited the Orangeburg fair grounds.
talked with the officers Of the Fair
Association and with a large number
Of business men. All alike agree that
the fair has been a good thing for
Orangeburg. business men and farm
ers alike.
The Orangeburg Fair was started at
the suggestion Of the Farmers Union
OF that county and was organized
through the cooperation Of that
body and the Chamber Of Commerce.
Nearly one-half OF the subscribers to
the stock OF the association are farm
- ssV thNttOiss INt are from
the city and the others are selected
from the farmers. one being selected
from each township. The association
was Incorporated for $4,000 divided
into $40 shares. BY dividing into
small shares the stock was distributed
widely and a large interest was thus
secured. $1,000 was subscribed be-
fore the fair started and $1,000 was
paid I'm. Thirty-five acres of land
was purchased on the outskirts Of the
city at $500 which was sold TO
them by public spirited citizen be-
low cost In order to prevent a hold
mp OF the association and that the
fair might be started. Not a dollar
of this amount was paid until after
the fair closed. The entire cost Of
improvements. including fencing,
race track and seven buildings was
$4,000. These buildings include
poultry building. 6ox75. main exhibi-
tion 75xi5o. two cattle barns 7ox1O0.
hog barn Soxi00 and small office
building.
The fair itself returned a total sun,
OF $4,000 which Included all admis-
sions and space sales. No compliment
tary tickets were given out The to-
tai expense Of the fair for premiums,
prizes and labor was little less than
$4,000 or a net return to the associa-
ton Of $4,000. The fair was a great
success. On one day over 5000 peo-
pie paid for admission. The streets
OF the city wore crowded with peo-
pie. The merchants did an excellent
business and the hotels and boarding
house did a rush business. The far
mers and business men were drawn
closer together. Every conceivable
premium was offered for farm dis
plays Of vegetables. products md
i've stock. The schools made an ex-
seiient exhibit The women Of the
city and county especially became in
terested and the exhibits of needle
work were notable. Many Of the
Churches ran dining rooms. Most Of
the merchants ma intaired booths and
the manufacturers gave = Made in
Orangeburg' display. There were all
kinds OF amusemcnts. including a
midway. baseball. football and horse
races. No betting was permitted.
greater interest IL being taken this
year throughout the county. One OF
the local banks has offered prizes
similar to that offered by the City
National Bank Of sumter and special
exhibitions will be made from these
prize acres. Boys and girls corn
and tomato clubs have been slim
ulated.
What Orangeburg has done Sumter
can certainly do. The general con-
dltions are similar only Sumter. having
better railroad facilities, Is certain to
attract larger attendance. The
rilroads will give special rates. Ii
not one dollar had been earned by the
fair II would have more than paid.
Sumter has had caruivals which have
cost heavily. Here is an Institution
that will mutually aid country and
city. attracts thousands Of dollars to
the city annually and yet holds out
the chance Of returning a fine di, l.
dend on the money invested. The
Fair Committee will meet with the
directors OF the chamber this after
noon to consider this report and 4, is
expected that the entire chamber will
meet within few days for the same
purpose.