The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-10-12
SEC. MASON MAKES COMPREHEN-
SIVE REPORT TO FAIR BOARD

pense in providing this needed service
for exhibitors. By taking charge of
the grading work for the railway
spur track into the fair grounds the
fair board was enabled to save 1888 80
over the original estimate Of the
! Great Northern Ry.
Recommendations
One of the most important features
Of the 1922 fair was in the lessons
learned and the showing Of defects
that need remedying and improve
ments that are required. The most
pressing need is to make much
earlier start in preparing for the 1923
fair than was made in 1922. The
folly and high cost Of trying to do
years work in less than three months
was demonstrated this year. Many
pre- operations for 1923 must be start
ed at once, especially if an earlier
fair is planned for next year.
A July Fair
The general idea appears to be
that the Ward County Fair should
be held hereafter in July, either just
before or just after the Fargo and
Grand Forks fairs. By so doing it
will be possible, not only to insure
warmer summer weather, but also to
get in line with the various fair cir
cults and more easily and cheaply OBJ
tain carnivals, free acts and other at
fractions, more concessions and more
of the exhibit Of live stock and other
features that travel from fair to fair
during the season. 1t is argued that
thus a much larger and more inter-
estng fair can be obtained even tho
there is bound to be shrinkage in the
single department of grains, grasses
and vegetables, etc.
New Buildings
Additional buildings on the fair
grounds will be necessary if the fair
is to grow or even take care Of an
enterprise such as was recorded this
year. A very little more live stock
than was shown this year will fill the
present stock barn to Overlooking and
additional quarters will be necessary
Renting Of tents is unsatisfactory
temporary and expensive The cree
ton of temporary sheds meets the
same objection. Another large stock
barn is desirable and it is suggested
that the new building contain judg-
ing ring and sales amphitheater with
proper seating facilities. With a
July fair more emphasis will here
after be placed on live stock than on
agricultural products.
Arrangements should be made for
housing sheep and swine.
A speed barn is imperatively neces-
sary. The Reed barn rented this year
proved inadequate even for the small
number of horses that came to Minot
and some horses were housed in the
exhibit stock barn. Race men pre-
diet that in a normally good fair year
30 or more race horses would be here
A separate speed barn near the race
track, suitably equipped and supple
mented by proper paddock, would
greatly facilitate the racing feature
of the fair. The racers showed ex-
cellent spirit this year and chez rfully
accepted the lacks in the service ac-
corded them. But all expressed,
along with a desire to come to Minot
again, an expectation of larger and
better facilities another season. For
paddock this year a canvas wind
shield was improvised as a makcshift.
A number of merchants and others
applied this season for display space
in the Exhibition Building in order to
make mercantile displays. Most of
these had to- be refused as it was
felt the building must be kept for ag-
rlcultural displays, etc A few other
displays were accommodated. I'm
doubtedly if another building or an
addition to the present Exhibition
Building, were to be built the coming
year it would be we'll filled with com
mercial displays, would furnish an in
teresting feature to attract and hold
visitors and would pay substantial
revenue thru the space fees that
would be charged.
Changes in Grounds
The sewerage and sanitary ar
engagements on the fairgrounds prov
ed inadequate this season. The cess
pools were too small and the toilets
became clogged and out of commits
sion, causing the public great annoy
ance at times. The emergency toilets
recommended by the secretary earlier
in the season would have been of great
value at such times and should be
built before another fair is held.
1t will probably also be necessary
to lay sewer line from the grand
stand to the river in order to get ade-
'quate drainage.
/ A larger water supply is also need
ed as the four wells proved unable to
supply the demands even with the
small attendance recorded this year.
A concrete floor is needed in the
first story of the Exhibition Building.
Some crawling Of walks along the