Morris tribune., 1914-01-09
County Fair Association


for the officials of the county fairs Of
the West Central Minnesota.
A large number of secretaries sent
word that it was impossible for them
to attend the meeting.
Those present were: M. /. Aygarn,
F. Dubois, Sauk Centre; Frank Hill
of GlenwoOd; Secretary Beise and
President Lawler of the Stevens
county fair: ]. c. Simpson. secretary
of the Minnesota State Fair; E. G..
Higbie, P. E. Miller, Robert Wilson,
Arthur Woodman. F. E. Balmer, F.
D. Hawk and M. E. Harrison.
The general problems that confront
the county fair managers were taken
up and discussed by those present.
It was the consensus of opinion that
while our county fairs Of today do not
realize the ideal of educators and the
people who are working for country
life betterment, the present general
plan will have to be followed and the
things desired brought about by
gradual evolution. 1t was agreed
that the fairs should be more educa
tional to justify their existence and
appropriations by the state, and that
there should be general reclassifca-
ton of premium lists. barring of
gambling devices and fakes, and a
general raising of the tone of the en-
tertainment features. 1t was admitted
however, that unusual amusement
features are necessary to attract the
people. or that, in other words,
the education should be pretty we'll
sugar-coated.
It was agreed by all present that
much can be gained by a combina-
tion, the working together of vari-
GUS fairs in limited section. 1t
was stated, and not refuted. that by
pooling the interest of half dozen
fairs, from 25 to 40 per cent. would
be saved in the cost of advertising and
buying amusement features. and that
in the same way the efficiency of
management and the educationl value
of the institutions would be very mat
erially increased.
The manner of securing amusement
attractions from the University was
taken up and discussed at length. II
was admitted that last year the ex-
pertinent along this line was not sat.
isfactory, but it was admitted that
the material for high-class entertain.
ment features could be found in the
university. and that under proper
management the university attractions
could be made popular and compare
lively cheap.
Mr.. Simpson gave those present
some valuable information in regard t.
the general plan of the conduct o1
county fairs. and assured them of the
desire Of the State Fair Board anC
secretary's Office to cooperate will
county fair secretaries in every way,
A motion was made and seconded
that Mr.. Wilson. MIR. Harrison anC
Mr. Beise prepare list of attractions
that would suit the county fair man
ayers in this section and frame up /;
!, proposition that they would submit tt
President Vincent and others in chargt
of that department at the university
This committee was ordered to repor
at meeting of the West Contra
Minnesota Fair Managers Association
to be held during a dinner Wednesda!
, evening. January 18th, in the st
Paul Commercial Club rooms. Mr.
Harrison was authorized to make ar
rangements for this dinner.
z 1t was moved and seconded tina
: Mr.. Beise and Mr.. Putnam discus
! the advisabiIity of hiring a man t
secure attractions, assist in tn
classification of premium lists. i'm
provements of advertising and publ
: city and generally to help in unifyini
: the county fairs in this district tn
D result of their conference to be sub
mitted in a report at the dinner abov
referred to.
1t was moved and seconded and car
a ried that Mr.. Harrison prepare
E summary Of this meeting and sen
s to all county fair secretaries in thi
district, together with an invitatio
to be present at the dinner at th
st. Paul Commercial Club on Janu
ary 14th.