The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-09-21

The first >Wards County and north
western North Dakota fair held at
Minot last week was great success
and a notable encouragement and in
centive for the future despite the
numerous handicaps and lacks of an
initial season and especially the in
tervention of unfavorable weather.
The test of the fair is not whether its
books show a profit or deficit at the
close but whether real fair was held
in an adequate plant and whether the
public-exhibitors, concessioners, en-
tertainers, racers, visitors and others
were satisfied with the results and
the prospects. Judged by the latter
success and merely the forerunner OF
far greater and more interesting ex-
positions in coming years. The fair
showed not only an actually big show
but demonstrated what can be done
here, and the result is that everyone
concerned is prepared to come back
next year with larger exhibits, more
entries and many new and valuable
features. The 1923 fair promises to
be record breaker. Already several
persons and firms have spoken for To-
cations or space for 1923 and there is
no Encouragement anywhere.
When one stops to- realize that in
the latter days of June the spot on
which the fair was held last week was
nothing but an s0-acre field of rye
which no blade had touched and that
there was neither building nor organ
ization for a fair, the accomplish
ments evidenced to the visitors who
entered the wide main gates Sept. 12
were nothing short of marvellous.
They beheld a stout 1/2 foot mesh
wire fence with white painted posts
surrounding the entire grounds, with
fine. large concrete posts at corners
and gates. A system Of well graded
and surfaced roadways 80 feet wide
traversed the grounds, leading to the
buildings, the auto parking spaces and
the exit gates. Near the main en-
trance loomed the spacious Exhibition
hall 6Ox16O feet in size and two stor-
les high. This substantial structure
of solid tile and stucco would be an
ornament to any fairgrounds or city
and attracted universal admiration.
While intended as the Agricultural
Hall Of a greater far it was this year
used for general exhibits including
agricultural products, poultry, wom-
ems department, Baby Show, Boys
and Girls club work, government
testing and grading booths, state
health booth and few commercial
displays. A complete wireless plant
was also feature, conducted by Max
and Paul Kemper of Minot.
A fine large heavy frame and stucco
grand stand, 150x60 feet in size and
capable of seating more than 1850
persons, faces the new race track
which racing men declare will be one
: of the fastest" in the state. This
track is a standard half mile oval
with 50-foot width except on the
home stretch which is 80 feet wide
the widest in the state. The grand
stand also houses the secretary's and
treasurer's offices, large mems and
women's toilets, two sets of actors
dressing rooms, waterworks plant,
storage space and IL fine large booths
for rental to concessioners and others.
The big 15Ox5O foot stock barn,
built of solid concrete and stucco, is
the admiration of every agriculturist
who sees it. Containing 80 double
stalls and five large box stalls, besides
an office for the superintendent, it is
most conveniently appointed in every
way. A waterworks system and elec-
trio lights are included. All the
buildings on the grounds have electric
lights and, in addition, a power line
covers the grounds and, with bracket
lamps on the poles and six large flood
lights on the three main buildings,
lights the grounds in excellent man
ner.
The Minot Kiwanis club has erected
neat stucco covered building for use
o. ~: D..
and it was most valuable institution
at the fair. Further improvements
are to be made in it by the club by
another season.
The Cash Feed & Fuel Co., which
supplies hay and feeds of all kinds to
stock men and racers, erected neat
frame structure near the barns to
serve as warehouse for its stock
during the fair.
Several other small buildings, in
cluding judges stand, free acts
platform, ticket office at the main
gate, ETC., were erected for the fair.
The entertainment program this
year was excellent and excited the
commentator of all visitors. A good
/ race program was carried out in spite
Of the lack of desired funds and the
fact that the lateness of the season
and shortness of the time prevented
the securing of many horses and other
attractions. The program included
harness and running races, automobile
and motorcycle races. The flying cir
Gus with its airplane stunts, wing
walker and parachute jumper and the
races between plane and automobile
was popular feature. Several fine
free acts including Marriott Troupe Of