Red Lake news. [volume] (Red Lake, Minn.) 1912-1921, 1917-10-01
RED LAKE NEWS


it's gates for admission at eight o'clock, September
18th and being one of the most satisfactory years
of the association.
The attendance was in excess of former years
despite the fact that no Special was run from Be
midi as heretofore. The fair grounds on Septem-
Der 18th veritabe sea OF AUTOMOBILES from
all sections of the country. There was hardly
town within a fifty mile radius but what was rep
resented
The Gonvick Bagley and Bemdj crowd was
out for good time and the day was the occa-
sion of fun and frolic in which the white man ana
the redman participated without thought of race
The crowd of which rs per cent was Indian
resembled that of a prosperous farming commu-
nifty.
For the first time in the history Of the Fair AS
ISOLATION merry-go-round, owned and operated
by Chippewa Indian of Minnesota, attracted the
old as we'll as the young and gave touch OF real
ism to the occasion, which, though an Indian fair,
could not distinguished from the old time county
fairs.
Five years ago the fair grounds was veritable
forest, covered by jack pine trees, heavy under
growth and brush One could hardly realize this
when looking at the we'll constructed and crowded
grandstand the graded half mile circular track,
the hundreds of parker automobiles, the substan-
tial buildings and the general appearance or an
old time settled community which prevailed
The sports were opened to all corners. This
added to the entertainment of the crowd, as every
outdid themselves to make the occasion hap
Ply gathering.
In attendance the fair was the best we ever mad
In exhibits it is proper to state that there were
individual exhibits in all departments which
celled any former exhibits, except possibly in the
agricultural booths. This was not due to the lack
Of industry OF. the Indian farmers, but because OF
the excessive drought which has prevailed on this
reservation during the past year. The writer
knows that there acreage planted on the
reservation this year than before; that every
old garden the reservation was powed and put
into cultivation; that land was cleared
and planted than ever before; and that this in
dust1y was augmented by the desire of the Red
Lake Indians to do their bit in the present war
crisis the slogan being plant every foot of tilla
BILE soil"
The Cross Lake School, ST. Mary's School and
the Red Lake School all had booths of unusual
merit. The decorations more artistic than
ever and added greatly to the general appearance
Of the building.
The domestic science booth given first prize
for beauty. The domestic art booth excelled in
many ways former displays.
The Central Farmers Club won first prize as
the best club booth. This due very largely
to the enthusiasm, industry and hard work Of John
English president of the club and of our pro-
gressve farmers.
In the art building found the Indian curio
booth and the returned students club booth, which
was beautifully and artistcally arranged, with a
background of Navajo blankets belonging to Mrs.
Omar Gravelle. Mrs. Gravelle is returned stu
dent former Haskete.
In this building the Red Cross resided, and
are told that they made fifteen sixteen dollars
from the sale of cocoa, thus doing their bit
The Baby Show occupied about one-fourth of
this building This booth beautifully decor
ated with red, white and blue bunting. Appropri-
ate charts and pictures hung on the walls.
Rugs were placed on the floor. Pamphlets How
to Keep Babies WE'LL" "The Care of the Baby
"Hints to Mothers 'What You Should Know
About tuberculosis Indian Mothers, Save Your
Babies" What Every Mother Wants to Know