The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-10-05

To the Honorable Board of Commits
sioners of Ward County, N. D.
Gentlemen:
l herewith submit to your honorable
body report covering the first Ward
County Fair, held at Minot Sert. IL
to Is, 1922, together with recon-
mendations for your consideration.
This report is necessarily incomplete
as all the bills against the fair have
not yet been submitted or acted upon
and there is also small amount Of
money owed the fair still to be COL
lected.
The general consensus of public
opinion is that the 1922 fair was a
great success despite the fact that
unfavorable weather intervened,
causing diminished attendance and
consequent loss Of revenue. The fair
board was organized in May and a
secretary was not named until late
that month. The first contracts for
buildings on the fair grounds were
let June 16 and it was nearly July l
before building operations were un-
der way. Other contracts were let
still later. Yet in less than three
months time three large buildings
were completed together with several
smaller structures, the grounds were
fenced with 5000 feet Of fencing, a
1,O00-foot spur railroad track was laid
into the grounds, system Of we'll
surfaced streets was developed and
fair organization formed that func-
toned we'll in carrying on the exposl-
ton. The fair was well advertised,
the exhibits were notably varied and
numerous and the entertainment pro-
cofiSfoNforU
The general expressions were-far
from being discouraging and pessi-
mistic-almost genrally of surprise at
the great results accomplished, OF
pleasure at the facilities and enter
tainment afforded and of determina-
ton to come again next year with
larger exhibits and more elaborate ef-
forts of all kinds.
In studying the figures covering
costs and expenses it must be re-
membered that the fair was planned
and carried out in the face Of numer-
Gus obstacles such as the brief time
available in which to build up the
grounds and form an organization,
railroad strike that delayed ship
,ments and hampered the building Of
the spur track, shortage and high
cost of labor owing to the demands Of
fall farm work and other activities,
the necessity of paying high prices
for immediate and other emergency
work, etc. Very few fairs are able to
show a, profit the first year and often
for several years, experience shows,
yet had the Ward County Fair been
accorded favorable weather this year
there can be no question that its fin
ances would have shown a substantial
profit.
While the initial costs this year
have been necessarily high, the ex-
pense of conducting the fair next year
will be greatly reduced. Considerable
material remains on hand that is
available for use next year. With
longer time for preparation better
prices will be obtained and, in gener-
al, costs should be materially reduced.
The advisability Of making siren
uous campaign to secure state aid IN
order to broaden the scope OF the falr
and to take up the matter with the
state legislative budget board at its
meeting in November is touched up
on hereafter. The principal items OF
interest covering the fair are COM
prised in the following paragraphs:
- Grounds and Buildings
The total cost of building and equip
ping at the fair grounds this season,
exclusive Of certain small bills not
yet received and others not settled,
. was $50, ,526.87 according to bills OF
the various contractors. The pr'ncl-
pal items follow:
Dakota Building Co.-Exhibition
Building: Original contract, $14,270;
extras, $500; total, $14,770.
p MooI1oxy- Cron1 strand. :.
Original contract, $1,000; building
toilet and dressing rooms, etc, ST.
177.43; building office, $208.4O; extras
s115.50: total $11 ,491 .33.
Sven Olson-Stock barn: Original
contract, $1,000; tank stand, $47.5O;
free acts platform, $274.85; judges
stand, $175; ticket office, $175; horse
pen and tent $34.20; total, $S,797.35
Fence around grounds: Piper Howe
Lumber Co.. for materials, $1,835.3O;
John J. Curren, building fence,
S2,3225O; total, $4.157.8O.
John j. McDougall-Race track:
Excavating $3.50 yards OF earth at
45c yard, $2,93S.50.
Note: Mr.. McDougall has bill for
1876 presented for rebuilding part OF
the race, track that is not approved by
I County Surveyor E. J. Thomas and is
not included in this report.
John j. ,McDougall: Extras for
building drag, hauling, leveling in
!. Exhibition Building, etc, $65:54
Spur track: To Great Northern Ry.
1914; John ]. McDougall for grad
ing fill (725 yards at SOC yard,
$362.5O; total, $2,276.5O.
Levin & MISUNDERSTANDING: ORR
ginal contract, $2,O97; difference in
cost Of deep well pump, $178.75; ex-
tras, $125; total, $2,401. rs.
Kopald Electric Co.-Electrical
work; original contract for wiring at
grand stand and stock barn, $708; ex-
tras. including wiring and installing
fixtures to light grounds and in front
Of grand stand, $1,189.66; total,
$1,s97. sc.
Ira L. RushArchitect's fees,
.