The Daily Missoulian., 1914-09-30
BIG, HAPPY CROWD
ATTENDS OPENING
Of THEFA|R
DEDICATION OF couNTY's NEW
PLANT Is SUCCESS, PROM
ISlNo GREAT WEEK

/ The opening yesterday of the West /
ern Montana fair was a splendid sue
cess from every angle in which it can
Be considered. Everything was ready
for .he crowd and the number present
was exceptionally large for the OPEN
ing day. All who have had to do with
the preparation Of the fair were on
couraged because of this fact There is
no doubt now about the public's inter
est in the exhibition. All who at
tended yesterday Went home real fair
boosters. realizing that the whole eX-
hibition is exceptionally good and that
it win require all of the coming three
days to get about and make a thorough
inspection of the various departments
The fair that opened yesterday is
western Montana's very best show. The
new plant is Il surprise and a delight
to all. The special entertainment at
fractions are in keeping and the rae
ing program is on par with any that
has been held in the state this year.
The new track is proving all that was
predicted for it and the horsemen are
especially pleased.
Nelson's Welcome.
The opening was attended by one
bit of ceremony.
When the crowd had gathered in the
grandstand before the races Chairman
Frank Nelson of the board of county
commissioners was prevailed upon by
the other members Of both fair and
racing commissions to make some
formal announceent which would turn
over to the people Of Missoula county
their new fair plant. Mr.. Nelson
spoke briefly. He said: "The board
of county commissioners bids you
hearty welcome at this, the opening
of Missoula county's new fair plant.
In selecting the site and providing the
buildings the board has used it's very
best judgment. We hope what we have
completed will meet with your ap-
proval. We have 1done our best to
carry on this work and all other work
for the county, and today we make
no excuses for what you find here.
In time to come We know that this will
become the fair of Montana next in
Importance to the state fair. For the
board of commissioners ! ask you to
accept this fair plant today. 1t is
yours; you have paid for it. Now take
it and enjoy it."s0p1 4.
Missoula day was areal opener. The
fair is on in earnest. 1t is already the
greatest show Missoula county ever
saw and one of the best that has ever
been generally participated in by west
ern Montana's people. In the exhibits
as we'll as in the crowd, Ravalli, Sam
ders and Mineral counties are we'll
represented. The fair commissioners
are to be congratulated. They in turn
have to thank Secretary +. M. Law
renee for his excellent work that
brought to the fair such a large and
unusual aggregation of exhibits
combination that so thoroughly repre-
sents the varied resources and activi-
ties of western Montana.
The forenoon crowd was scat
tering; but by Il O'Clock string OF
automobiles commenced to make n
continuous line from the end of the |
Higgins avenue bridge. out south to
Brooks street, and straight along the
newly graded road to the Playground |
entrance. The street cars left with |
capacity loads and from the landing |
at the car barns, along the walk for I
pedestrians, graded and rolled to the !
entrance gates, there commenced a
continual line OF people. Presently the |
Missoula band appeared and the crowd
took up the march behind 1t and came |
sweeping into the grounds, a young
army. The grandstand, which seats
9, GOO people, was two-thirds filled when