The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-08
STATE AIR CLOSES
WITH ATTENDANCE
EQUAL TO MONDAY
President Declares Year to
Have Been One of Most
Successful in History For
Exposition

Inc 1SLz Aiahama FAIR, which IN
the opinion OF the officials, was one
OF the most successful from every
viewpoint came to a close last night.
Incidently. a crowd equalling that
of Monday, which was regarded as
tho largest of the week, passed
Through the gates yesterday from
morning till closing time.
This fair has been one OF the
greatest. IL not the greatest, from
every angle, that It has been the for
tune of the officials to put on"
said r. A. Brown. president of the
fair association. The complete de-
tails of course have not as yet been
recorded, but 1 can safely say that
the financial returns viii be pleasing
and twill not be surprising If they
SIRE found to double those of last
year. We are exceedingly grateful
to the public who so heartily re-
sponded to the call of the event and
also what to take this indirect meth
cd of thanking all those, collectively
and individually. who were so good
as to extend us a helping hand in
staging one of the biggest and best
state fairs that Alabama has ever
had"
Unlike that of Friday, tho weather
was ideal for fair crowds and added
to that the real features of the
week, the automobile races, were the
Instrumental factors that made the
last day one of the largest days of
the entire week.
business Good
Thu attu which cane ont of the
heavens during the latter part OF the
morning hours, soon dried UP the
muddy condition of the midway
throughout the entire day virtually
all of the concessions, shows and
other amusement devices did thriV-
ing business. All of the concession
and show owners voiced their ap-
proval of the generosity OF tho
crowds during the week and also
declared that the financial returns,
in many instances, almost doubled
those Of last year. Promptly with
the closing hours every concession
show. lunch and soft drink stand.
started the business of tearing down
and packing preparatory TO leaV-
ing the city.
20 make up for tho cancelled az
fractions Friday. on account OF the
bad weather, several added attrae-
tons were put on yesterday In front
of the grandstand and also a greater
number of airpiane exhibition flights
were made. Tho night display Of fire
works was also greater, However
the real features of the afternoon
were the automobile races which
were scheduled to start at 1880
o'clock, but owing to the muddy con-
dition OF the track did not begin
until after o'clock. The sun failed
to put the track into ideal condition
for the drivers and as consequence
only nominal speed was attained.
Many Jumps rose in as many threats
as the drivers circled the muddy
track skidding at times from side to
side. and only by masterful driving
and abnormal good turns OF fate
averted accidents. The master driver
of the afternoon was Sig Haugdahl,
who with his wisconsin Special"
won the continued applause of the
onlpokers by his daring.
Boys Escape Injury
Aside from the crowds that were
in the grandstand, thropgs of people
lined the north side of the fence
circling the race track. from one end
to the other. Part of the crowds
on the east end of the grounds broke
through the fence and darted across
the track into the field beyond
while the drivers were on the track
and several boys narrowly escaped
injury.
The usual high class hippodrome
acts were carried out In full In front
OF the grandstand last niEht and
were witnessed by an immense au-
dience. Following the acts the night
display OF fireworks. which are rated
as among the highest class and most
brilliant displays ever put on In the
south, closed the program.
The various agricultural, live stock,
poultry and industrial exhibits still
maintained their interest and were
viewed by a large numcsr OF people.
All judging and awarding was com
pIeted yesterday.