The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-12-11
STATE FAIR OF 1919
WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

Editor Star: In replying to your
request for an article on the state
fair just closed in Jacksonville, wish
t. explain that my duties there were
such that it was impossible to see
and study exhibits as one should IN
order to report them correctly. But
Judging from the general appearance
of the entire exposition, and from ex-
pressions made by those high up in
such affairs, the Florida State Fair
of 1919 was a wonderful success, in
fact, it was considered the very best
yet held.
The unusual climatic conditions for
this season of the year, made it pos
sible for all sections of the state to
be well represented with all kinds of
fruit and vegetables and such horti-
cultural exhibits as their respective
counties produce. The result was
that each county exhibiting presented
a show that was wonderfully interest
ing as vel las marvel to those from
other states who were there to be
shown what could be done on Flor
id;.'s soil.
On entering the agricultural build
irg, looking to the right, was the
tropical counties of Dade and Palm
Beach, with their marvellous array of
tropical fruits. vegetables and gen
eral collection of all things good and
beautiful. A little further down the
line was a general collection of sugar
cane exhibited from various parts OF
the state, which was such a fine ex-
hitit as to make US wonder why al
this shortage of sugar.
Next were Lake and Marion coun.
ties, each in their glory of unequalle6
possessions. Marion county having
held the state championship on agri.
cultural exhibit for the past year
showed plainly that she was again in
the race and that in order to take the
cup away, some county must get
busy, but there were a number OF
counties that got busy year ago
and stayed busy to the finish. Lake
county, as l understand it, was out
more through loyalty and to adver
tiSe than to win prizes. Their num-
Der of lakes, some splendid mounted
fish, with once in a while a really
truly fish story, made their bootl
most attractive.
Next came Alachua. which count!
was the winner of the grand prize
two years ago. In this booth was 6
grand assortment of all things grown
in that section and the exhibit wa!
greatly admired. Across from thi!
was a booth devoted to the interest,"
Of the Florida State College for Won
en-. of which every Floridian is yer!
proud. Next to this was the splendid
exhibit on dairy work which means
more to our state than we realize
But must hasten on, regretting as
do that for reasons already mention
ed l can not name all exhibits in de
tail.
st. Lucie county had a booth o
wondrous beauty, showing careful Sc
Election and artistic arrangement. /
will be we'll to watch out for st. Luci
next year. The home demonstration
booth was as usual the center of mucl
admiration, the canning club girls an,
the corn club boys doing their full
part toward the success of the fair.
j This takes us to the booths on tn
opposite side of the building. Brad
ford county, always good, was unusu
, ally good this year. Annexed to thei
booth was a display from the stat
convict farm at Raiford that attract
ed great deal of attention, showing
, the splendid training, industries an
, equipment of this state institution
Citrus county was we'll represented a
were a number of others not entering
the ring for championship honors.
, Franklin county displayed a won
derfully attractive booth, with it
? varied line of fish and oyster indus
tries. 1t was indeed a revelation t
see what this county has to offer an
. again we ask why not more of on
. home canned goods? DeSoto wa
there in all of it's attractiveness, pos
sibly some of the largest pineapple
ever grown in Florida being a part Q
/. the display.
!, One of the finest displays of tn
fair was that of Lee county. its pro
= ducts being tropical and otherwis
/ and very beautifully arranged. Leo
=. county made a speciality of it's dair
5 work, creating much interest on sue
L. lines.
: Other counties exhibiting deserv
special mention. but will close tn
=. list of counties with congratulation
j, to Escambia county, the winner c
!. the state prize. It's booth containe
> a splendid assortment of well al
/. ranged exhibits. The secret of E:
(. cambia's success $50 little bird said
was that they came so near to it la:
!. year that their men became interes
> ed and got right to work and stage
everlastingly on the job till the Gu
was handed over.
, All in all, it was a perfectly wor
derful display of agricultural exhibit
and the judges were rather to
pitied than envied. The spirit of T
valry and neighborly contest kept I'll
| agricultural building in a high stat