The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-08-31
TWENTY-FIVE FAIR
Mile Laos County Silver Jubilee Fair
at Princeton Sept. Is, IA, Is
and Is, 1916.
Liberal Premiums and PriZes-Fine
Program of Sports-Four Aero
plane Flights-GoOd Music.

at frlnceLOn, Mlnn. II the weather IS
favorable it promises to be the best
fair in the history of the society. Ger
tainly the management will spare no
efforts to make it pleasant for all who
may attend.
Twenty-Five years ago next month
the first fair was held on the present
grounds under rather unfavorable cir
cumstances 1t was new undertake
ing. No fair Of any description had
ever been held within the boundaries
Of Mile Laos county, nor in any of
the adjoining counties save Isanti, and
without any disrespect to the pioneers
of our sister county, in common
parlance the Isanti county fair wasn't
much in those days.
Then as now we had croakers and
pessimistic individuals in our midst.
But undeterred by the dismal predic-
tions of failure by the chronic grum-
blers, few public-spirited citizens,
with Chas Keith and R. F. Mcclellan
the prime movers, went ahead and
made preparations for the first fair.
The late C. H. Rines kindly gave the
use of the grounds. A rough grand
stand was erected, high board fence
was built and a half-mile race track
was laid out. 1t required more
money than was contributed by public
subscription to do these things, but
Messrs. Keith and Mcclellan somehow
or other managed to secure the ma
terial and provide the wherewithal to
pay the laborers and carpenters.
In those days there were several
fair trotting and running horses in
Princeton and vicinity, and the racing
program at the first fair was good
one. But the display Of agricultural
products was not very extensive, and
the livestock exhibits consisted of less
than dozen animals of every descrip-
ton. In fact, the races were about all
there was to the fair.
It was constant struggle for years
thereafter to keep the fair alive, and
on more than one occasion the asso-
citation was on the verge of dissolution.
This unsatisfactory condition existed
until four years ago, when a reor-
ganization was effected, the grounds
were purchased, neat and commodious
stables and exhibit buildings were
erected, the old grandstand was torn
down and a larger and better one took
its place, the race track and grounds
were improved, and in brief we now
have grounds and buildings equalled
by few and excelled by no county fair
association in Minnesota.
This result was attained through
the liberality of our public-spirited
citizens and the interchangeable exer-
tions of the fair officers, the co-opera-
ton Of our county commissioners and
the generous support Of the people of
Mile Laos and the adjoining counties.
In this connection President Bryson,
Secretary Stanley and Chas. Keith are
entitled to no stinted need of praise.
They have labored increasingly to
bring the Mile Laos county fair up to
its present state of excellence.
Owing to Princeton's geographical
location, IN the extreme south end of
the county, and its proximity to Isanti,
Sherburne and Benton counties, the
Mile Laos County fair is more in the
nature of district fair and has al
ways been literally patronized by the
people Of the adjoining counties, and
exhibitors from the neighboring coun-
ties have been freely permitted to
compete for all premiums offered.
This year is the twenty-fifth or
Silver Jubilee anniversary of the fair
and, as we said at the start, it is the
intention Of the management to make
it the best and most memorable of
the twenty-five.
The purses and prizes offered are
liberal and every accommodation and
courtesy will be extended to exhibitors
and competitors.
Wednesday, Sept. IS, is opening day
and will be devoted to getting exhibits
in place and everything in readiness.
Thursday will be Book Day. There
will be several good races and other
interesting sporting events, redhot
game Of baseball between the Pease
and Book mines, and music all day by
the Book band.
Friday there will be more good
racing, two aeroplane flights, address
by Hon. Frank B. Kellogg, republican
candidate for United States senator,
baseball game between Zimmerman
and Princeton, and music by the Glen