Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-06
FAIR ASSOCIATION
M aine Organization
M e e IS Wednesday
Morning at Water
ville-J. F. Guiou Of
Presque Isle Elected
ga President - Discus
sion In Regard to
Raising Admission
Fees

Fees
Waterville, Me, Feb. s. The Maine
Association of Agricultural Fairs an
nual meeting was held at the City
hall council rooms Wednesday morn
ing, the meeting being called to or
der at 1880 o'clock by the president
of the association, J. F. Guiou. The
reports of the secretary and treas
urcr were read and accepted, and the
election of officers took place as fol-
lows: President, j. +. Guiou, Presque
Isle: vice president, T. +. Callahan,
Lewiston. treasurer. }. {. Fuller.
Watervillc: secretary. X. NJ. Gilmore.
WatervilIe. Membership committee.
}. e. Fuller. Watcrvillc; r. j. Good
rich, Ilartland: X. Nj. Gilmore, Wat
ervillc: j. C. Gorden, Pittsfield; ID. w.
Gilman. prcsIuc Isle; legislative
committees J. +. Guiou. Pressure Isle;
H. d. Eaton. Waterville; Il. J. Good
rich. iInrtland.
Following the election of officers.
several matters of business pertain
Ing to the fairs were discussed. the
first being in regard to the increase
of admission at the fairs. Il. Nj. Gill
more, secretary of the association,
and director OF the Maine Central
fair in this city. was the first to dlS-
cuss this subject and said that the
increase of expenses was tremendous
and each year was more pronounced.
He said that he thought that the ad-
mission fee should be increased at
least 10 cents, making the amount OF
60 cents to IA person. and in convers-
ing with other members of the asso-
citation that some thought that the
admission price should be raised to
IS cents d person, saying that cir
Gus admission price was IS cents, and
that at the agricultural fairs there
was everything to entertain, instruct
land amuse the public. Everything
else has gone up, and why should not
the price Of the admission to the
grounds be increased? was a question
brought up before the meeting. A
representative from Bangor was call
ed upon and stated that Bangor ad-
vanccd the price of admission last
wear from so cents to 60 cents. and
that they expected to do the same
this wear. He stated that he thought
that the question was a matter that
must be settled among each associa-
ton, and not be taken up as a State
matter.
The representative from Lewiston
stated that he agreed with Secretary
Gilmore about the increase of admis-
sion, saying that last year was an
exceptionally bad year for Lewiston
fair, there being only one sunny day
during the week, and that they were
working hard to pay up deficit. The
Lewiston association erected new
exhibition building last year and made
several other repairs which was a
great expense to the association. An
other said that every fair in the State
of Maine should increase its price
according to the association, and that
he believed that there would be no
complaints if the big fairs such as
Watcrville. Lewiston. Pressure Isle
and Bangor increased the admission
price.
John A. Roberts of the Commission
of Agriculture at Augusta was called
upon. and said that he did not know
whether by increasing the price of
admission to IS cents, it would make
any difference in the attendance. but
he did think that 60 cents would be
accepted all right. The smaller fairs
are not in q position to change prices
as the larger fairs could, but that so
cents was a small price of admission
to the larger fairs. He said that he
wanted to thank the managers Of the
fairs for their cooperation with the
agricultural department. He said
that when he started in the work he
did not have any complaints of any
of the fairs, and that all the manag-
crs had been very kind and managed
the fairs in a first class manner. The
fairs are doing n great deal of agri-
cultural work especially in the larger
fairs, and he said that he was es-
pecialIy glad to see the improved
work for agriculture last year. He
said: Those of US who are watch
ing the fairs are very much pleased
with the way they are being carried
on. | believe all fairs should have
places for midway. plenty of places
where suitable and sanitary food may
he purchased on the grounds and the
best grades of ice cream. soft drinks.
etc. We do not have games of
chance and gambling places on the
grounds. and if they are started the
manager of each association is at
once on his job and dismisses all
these places. Cattle and stock must
be of the bes; grade and should in
terest the boys and girls. If you
have some nice stock in your barns