The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1919-12-18
THE MORROW COUNTY FAIR WILL En-
LARGE UNDER PROPOSED STOCK COMPANY

holding horse races and similar
sports, the entertainment features
have consisted almost entirely of
band concerts, dancing, and the US
ual street carnival features. Each
year the fair board has presented
some free entertainment features
such as airplane flights, and acroba-
tic stunts. Naturally with little to
offer for the entertainment of the
visitors our fair has drawn very few
outside of the County and many with
in the county spend only one day on
the grounds and feel that there is
nothing to induce them to return a
second or third day.
In spite of the many handicaps it
is generally agreed that the Nor
row County fair has been very sue
cessful. In addition to furnishing
the people Of the County a real play
time it has been an important factor
in stimulating interest in the Count
tvs products. Credit must be given
the County fair for showing to the
outside Counties and to the entire
Northwest some of the possibilities
Of our own county. At the time the
first fair was held the people Of Ore
gon generally, and to those living
west of the mountains particularly,
Morrow County was little more than
a name. Few people outside of the
County itself and perhaps a few ad-
joining counties realized the wonder
full possibilities for development that
we're open in this County. Dating
almost from the time of the first
Morrow County fair we find an in
creasing interest in Morrow County
and Morrow County industries. Each
year the products from Morrow Coun-
ty are taken to the State fair and
have been able to hold their own in
open competition with the other
counties, in fact, the record of the
Morrow County products at the State
fair and Land Products shows has
been a very enviable one
The time has come, however, when
our County fair has outgrown its
present grounds and has reached the
limits of its developments under the
present plan. If 1t is to continue
to play a leading part in the develop
ment of our industries 1t must be
carried out on a larger and more
, comprehensive scale. If the Morrow
| County fair Is to take the lead in en-
couraging better livestock it must
provide suitable grounds and build
ings for the showing Of much live
stock. 1t must set its standard far
ahead so that as the county develops
the County fair will still be the lead
ing factor in blazing new paths and
encouraging progress along the var
ious lines prominent in the county.
New kinds of entertainments and
sports must be provided in the future
so as to get away from the old rut in
which we have been travelling for the
past five years. Good clean whole
some sports are necessary If We are
going to keep the interest of our own
people and draw from those outside
our County.
The entertainment features must
be such as will furnish amusement
for everyone. Such as will allow the
| crowd to leave the grounds looking
| forward to the next day and its pro-
gram. Such that we will want to in
vite friends from outside the County
to share our good times. And such
that the finish of the last event will
find us tired and happy but enthus-
iastic over the Morrow County fair.
One of the first changes necessary
to improve fair is to get a larger
number actually interested in 1t see
ing that it is made a success. Anoth-
err is to place it on a definite basis
SO 1t can be run in a business like
manner. And a third important fac
tor is adequate grounds. The peo-
pie of Morrow County a etfffect
these changes by forming a joint
| Stock a s n, buying new
grounds where a good a c track
can be maintained and then put up
permanent buildings. Plans for this
are already underway and shortly af-
ter the beginning Of the new year
the residents of Morrow County will
be given an opportunity to boost for
our fair by subscribing to stock in
the association.
If you have enjoyed the County
fair in the past, and believe in 1t as
an institution just remember that
with your help It can be made better
still. II there have been features