The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1916-10-26
Here's a Model
County Fair


Tennessee, lies Johnson County. II
consists of three great valleys, each
with numerous side valleys opening
into it, separated by ridges and
mountains. The valleys are filled
with we'll titled farms. The ridges
are grass covered, affording splendid
pasturage. The mountains are forest
clad. One sees as good farming in
johnson county as can be found in
the entire state.
And the farmers have a good fair,
The fair was organized four years
ago. From the first it commanded
the support of all the people. Not
only Johnson, but all the neighbor-
ing counties, come to Mountain City
for the fair. This year the weather
was perfect, and people came to the
fair by the thousands. Dozens of
old-time mountain wagons, pattern
ed on those in which the pioneers first
entered Tennessee, were here from
North Carolina. Literally hundreds
of people came on horse back. And
almost a hundred automobiles were
here. The people were the most in
teresting exhibit at this, as at every
fair; all sorts and conditions of men
and women, all with common inter
est. Every department of agricul-
tural and household effort was repre-
scented in the exhibits. In livestock
the outstanding feature was the COM
bination horse. This class, with
seven entries, had at least three that
would have stood high in any COM
pany. The Short Horns led the cat
tie in both numbers and quality.
The Johnson County farmers are
not professional exhibitors; they
bring their stock from pasture; it is
not state fed; it is not groomed; but
it shows what is being done, and fully
1000 grade stockers will be sold
from this section to feeders this
year. The sheep show, though small,
was of high quality.
The hogs were not at all what should
be shown. Evidently the johnson
County farmers chief interest is in
beef cattle and light horses.
The agricultural display in several
respects surpassed he State, the Tri-
State and the East Tennessee Divi-
sion Fair. There were thirty entries
of Irish potatoes, and the size and
quality was of surprising excellence.
There were twenty-four entries of
dry beans; and this crop is teh most
valuable garden crop in the county,
hundreds of bushels being grown.
The wheat, oats, and buckwheat were
of high quality. Only in corn do
the Johnson County exhibits fall be-
low the standard of the larger fairs.
The apple show was large and
varied, but only one lot of fruit had
been sprayed. Great, big apples at
tracted general attention. One ex-
hibition showed over fifty varieties,
and there were eight competitors for
the prize for the largest and best
collection of apples. In all over 200 |
plates were shown, though the total
value of the prizes was less than |
twenty dollars. 1t is this readiness
on the part Of the people to exhibit |
what they have that is so commend
able, and this is what has made the |
fair a model.
The ladies are quite as ready to |
show their work as are the men. In
deed, the woman's building surpassed |
in variety and number of exhibits
hat of several of the larger fairs. A
notable feature is the china painting.
Evidently a good teacher of this art
las been at work in this little mount
ain town.
There is a midway, and it is gener-
ally patronized, for the people like
% be amused as we'll as instructed.
And there are races on fourth mile
rack! The heats are one-half mile,
and the winners are announced, but
not the time. Lexington with Ak
worthy and all his ilk furnished no
better amusement. Everybody is
mere. Hundreds camp in the beauti-
full pine grove. At noon there are
picnic dinners everywhere. Late in
he afternoon a perfect balloon as
,ension, with parachute opening from
ends dusty, sunny, hap
oy day.
The president of the fair smiles in
A way that means financial success,
The five thousand people start home
ward, and the big day of a model
fair is history.