The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-13
TO BREAK RECORDS
Indications Are For Biggest
Free Fair in History.
No Evidence of Business De-
preston" in State So Far.
MACHINERY EXHIBIT A PROBLEM
Showing of Mechanical Prod
ucts Increasing Yearly.
Big Amusement Program Pro-
vfded to Entertain Guests.

Only thirty days from now every
highway leading into Topeka will be
choked with long lines of automobiles
bearing visitors to the Kansas Free
Fair. Every incoming train will dis
charge its quota of passengers from
the four points of the compass; every
hotel will be crowded. every available
rooming house filled and the great fall
exposition of the southwest will be
under way.
From Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado
Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and even
greater distances. visitors and ex-
hibitors will turn with common accord
to the capital of the Sunflower state
If business depression exists this s1de
of the Atlantic ocean one could not ten
It by examining the Free Fair entry
lists. Nearly all the available eX-
hibitor's spaces have already been con-
tracted for and the big problem facing
the nagement now is to find some
means of caring for the overflow.
Expect Record Attendance.
Last year approximately $4,000
persons passed thru the wide-open
gates of the Kansas Free Fair. II that
number is not exceeded next month
then all present indications are false.
With greater attractions than ever pc
fore; with the energy aroused by the
war diverted into agricultural ana
mercantile channels with the coming
of peace; with the awakening to the
advantages of educational and scien-
tific measures as applied to the pur-
suits of everyday life, the Free Fair IS
going "over the top" this year in size,
in results and general success.
There is just one branch of the big
exposition that will probably fall be-
low standards of previous years, and
dana RI m emf.
Jack Frost stayed on the job too long
last spring in the central west to make
the fruits compare well, at least in
quantity, with7some other years.
But what is lacking here vii! be
made I'D il agricultural hall, the live
stock. poultry and swine departments,
and machinery field. Wheat, corn, oats
rye and barley; potatoes, and prac-
tically all garden vegetables, Will De
present in great profusion and OF eA-
cellent quality.
The number of exhibitors in the
horse department is expected to be
greater than last year; the beef cattle
entries and the dairy COW entries botn
will be 20 per cent heavier than ever
before, while in the swine department
extra tents will have to be raised TO
care for the overflow from the twelve
big swine barns. The showing OF
poultry, sheep. milk goats and pet
stock will be very heavy, according to
present indications.
Machinery field, aside from being
an outstanding feature, is becoming
almost a problem at the Free Fair.
Manufac turers in all parts of the
country are awakening to the big ad-
vanta ges to he derived from eXhlp1t-
ing their products at the Topeka eX-
position and the number of exhibitors
Is increasing with each succeeding
year On the other hand, the benef1t
to farmers and others is so great that
every effort is being made by the Free
Fair management to take care OF
these huge showings. Everything
from the most practical kind of hog
fence to the latest in silos, lighting
plants and threshers can be found on
machinery field. with men in atten-
dance to demonstrate and explain ev-
cry feature of construction and action
Much to Interest Women.
OF interest to women will be the
exhibits and contests; the culinary de-
partment and the baby contests.
Young folks, especially, will be inter
ested in the various boys and girls
clubs exhibits, school and Sunday
school exhibits, baby beef contest,
state spelling contests and the boys
Judging contest.
Young and old will derive interest
and education from the exhibits of
the various bureaus of the United
States department of agriculture and
the Kansas State Agricultural college.
In Motor Hall will be found practical
~ every make of automobile sold IN
this section of the country. with rep
rescntattves to explain its various fea-
lures and perhaps with models to dem
Cnstrate its construction and action.
From purely amusement stand
point there will be the usual side
shows, water festivals, wild west
shows, minstrels, freaks and curiosi-
ties. And looming above all these will
be the horse races, auto races and the
big night show every evening in front
of the grandstand.
Many Favorities at Races.
Some OF the finest horse flesh on
western tracks will be seen here this
year. Many of last years favorites
have been entered TO compete with
horses making Topeka for the first
time. There will be horse races the
first four days and auto races the last
two, with several of the best known
speed kings following the dirt track
entered for the alluring prize money.
The four big 1000 merchants stakes
have proved a heavy drawing card
from the best horse racing stables in
the country and substantial purses
have attracted the auto kings from far
and near.
Every evening. in front of the
grandstand, a game of auto polo will
be played by an American and a Brit
ish team. This is one of the most
dangerous and thrilling contests ever
demolished and the players risk life
and limb.
Mart Campbell. the dare devil avia- !
tor. will perform on Monday afternoon, |
the first day of the fair.