The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-08-14
LIBERAL PRIZES AT
BIG MENA FAIR
Nearly $4,000 in Spot Cash viii BE
Distributed Among Exhibitors
Some of the Premiums and
Special Features.

Polk county farmers will miss a
golden opportunity for making good
money and helping their county if
they fail to exhibit at the fair which
opens in Mena September /.
The premium list is the most liberal
ever made for a county fair in this
section, if not in Arkansas. The total
awards call for the expenditure Of
nearly $4,000 for the best products of
the farm, orchard and garden. Prizes
are offered for practically everything
that is produced by Polk county till
ers of the soil, and the variety IS
large.
For instance the horticultural de-
partment, of which K. r. st. Jol,n is
superintendent, offers prizes for 80
separate and distinct varieties of
fruits. Not only are first prizes Of
fered for the best, but liberal awards
are made for the second best. And
these prizes, like all others to be made
during the fair, are in cold, hard cash.
The horticultural display will be made
in the Watkins building opposite the
new postoffice.
One of the big features of the
coming fair is to be the ladies' de-
partment, of which Mrs. T. r. Jones,
jr., is superintendent, and which will
be under the general direction of the
Civic club of Mena. For the showing
of the big variety of exhibits expected
in this department the beautiful Mena
Elks Home will be used. Visiting
ladies will be assured of not only a
splendid place to display their handi-
work, but will find honey comfort
and welcome in the big building.
Prizes are offered for cookery,
dairy products, canning, confections,
home made products like soap, sor-
ghum and vinegar, the domestic arts,
and fine arts. A special department
with extra premiums is offered to
ladies over so years of age. In this
department 184 separate prizes are
to be given for samples of women's
work The best prize is $40 and the
awards average about $500 each, so
it can be seen some of Polk county s
women are going to reap deserved
reward.
Prizes equally liberal and varied are
offered in the poultry department, the
livestock department, the agricultural
department, the educational depart
men and the miscellaneous depart
ment.
In this last named division there
promises to be some entertaining ex-
hibits. Fred Duke is head of this de-
partment, and among other interest
ing features has baby show, with
$40 prizes for the best babies; SIS for
the largest family present at the fair;
$40 each for the oldest man and wom-
an; $40 for the best decorated auto,
and $5 for the best fiddler in the old
time fiddler's contest.
To any couple that desires to get
married an opportunity is offered to
get the matrimonial knot tied without
charge and $40 bill thrown in for
good measure. The only condition is
that the prize goes to the first couple
entering the nuptial state during the
fair. Judge H. w. Finger viii per-
form the ceremony and County Clerk
Will Alexander will furnish the Ii
cense free.
These are but few of the interest
ing features of the annual Polk coun-
ty fair which opens on Monday, Sep
tember /, and ends the 9th. In addi-
tion to the exhibits and feature at
fractions in live stock, farm products,
poultry, etc, there will be sports and
amusements of various kinds.
High-class ball games will be
played during the fair and it is almost
certain carnival attractions of merit
will be shown. Secretary Williford
is endeavoring to secure the best on
the road and will likely make final
decision on this class of entertain
ment this week.
Watch The Star for later announce
ments.