The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-08

The largest attendance which ever visited the State Fair on the third day thronged the fairgrounds from early yesterday morning until Il o'clock last night. Fair officials estimated that more than 12.OO0 persons paid admis- sion to the grounds.
 With the coming of the large crowds the fairgrounds have again assumed the appearance that characterizes the big days every year. and the smile that has been lacking on the faces of President Brown and his associates has again found place. It was quite evident that the officials were high ly gratified with the showing made yesterday.
 Last night saw the initial fireworks display for this year. Every part of the grandstand was crowded to over- flowing and the event proved one of the best exhibitions of its kind ever seen in Birmingham. The free acts, encouraged by the large crowd of spec tators, were better than ever before. President F. S. Newton of the New ton Fireworks company of Chicago ar- rived in Birmingham yesterday morn ing and immediately took active acharge of the fireworks display Un- der his management the display will be the best ever shown at the State Fair. These exhibitions will be made before the grandstand each night at S:45 o'clock. with a change of pro- gramme daily.
 Horse racing before the grandstand yesterday afternoon proved the most exciting event of the three days of the fair The racing was especially IL. l.. Oo1r o..1l neck most of the time. Drivers had considerable trouble with breaks on the start and a number of split wins featured the days event. The races lasted until late hour, winding up in the finals with Belle Patcher winning the 2:10 pace, while Grace Hussie won in the 2:10 trot. The next races will be held Monday beginning at 1:30 D. m. The two events scheduled for that day are 2:30 pace for a purse of $4O0 and 22O trot for a purse Of $40O.
 JUDGING BEGINS
 Judging of the agricultural exhibits be- gan yesterday morning, but no awards were announced last night, and the judges stated that they probably would get through late Monday afternoon. The agri- cultural showing this year is exceptional ly large, despite the heavy rains of the
 
 crops in Alabama. One of the features of the agricultural exhibits this year is the evidence of diversified crops. There seems to be a determination on the part of the exhibitors, both county and in- dividual, to lead away from cotton and raise more grain. The grain exhibits show with what success the farmers are meeting in raising wheat and rye.
 South Alabama was we'll represented at the State Fair yesterday, many hun dreds of visitors coming in on all trains. 1.-The midway presented one of the busiest scenes of the three days last night, when the gay sightseers thronged up and down this great white way, taking in the va rious amusements of the Great Dominion shows. The midway, slightly set back on account of getting in late, has over come all difficulties and is wide open to the public, with one of the cleanest lists of amuscments ever seen in Birmingham.
 Arabia the society horse show, featur- ins Miss Esse Fay and her well-trained equine wonder, Arabia, the horse with a human brain, is one of the greatest attractions on exhibit The European Midget shows. with the smallest people in the world are also coming in for their part of patronage For red-blooded speed fans, the autodrome is proving the draw ing attraction. This is where the dare devil mile-a-minute girl drives her au- tomobile on the perpendicular wall at a rate that makes the spectator shudder Several motor racers contest also in this