The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-08-24
SPEECH AND BAND
CAUGHT THE FOLK
0utpouring Of People In
Every Town Visited
MUSIC IS DELIGHT
Also Everybody Whistled For
Expo; Scenes BY
The Way


four dyed in the wool" boosters
for the Mankato Fair returned to
Mankato shortly after six o'clock
last evening after having made q
125 mile tour In the interest Of the
1923 Mankato Fair. The tired but
happy boosters wer unanimous in
proclaiming the day most de-
lightful and enjoyable one. Lake
Crystal, Madelia, Lewisville, Thu
man, Winnie bago, Amboy, Vernon
Center. Mapleton, Good Thunder
and Rapidan were visited In the
order named by the touring party.
Band concerts were featured at
each of the stops. The music was
furnished by the Mankato Boys
under the direction Of Professor
Hugo Frey. The youngsters did
themselves proud, and their efforts
were greeted with warm applause
by appreciative audiences at every
town visited. The band members
Directors of the Fair Association
desire to publicly thank Professor
Frey and his excellent boy musI-
clans for this generous and valu-
able cooperation.
I. N. Tompkins, w. E. Olson and
Emil A. Boie spoke briefly at the
stops and extended official invita-
tons to the people to attend the big
show. About 1900 bobwhite whistles
were distributed to children during
the day, and the way the kids
many OF them far beyond their
teens-scrambled for them, indi-
Gated that they made a big hit.
Each whistle bore the inscription,
Whistle for the Big Mankaro
Fair" August 20, 80, 81. and Sep
TENDER 1. See Mystic China" the
stupendous fireworks spectacle, $50
lowed the distribution of these
whistles indicated beyond a shadow
of doubt that the plea was needed.
The speakers announced that any
and all children who presented
these whistles at the gate would be
admitted to the grounds free of
charge. William Meixner and Nor
gan Taylor distributed the priced
whistles, and they were constantly
surrounded by clamoring younsters
who wanted q few extras for bro
Their, sister, cousin and so forth.
Rain Acted As Damper
A rainy night and threatening
skies put a damper on the attend
ance Of the touring party, and con-
sequently delayed departure from
Mankato. Instead Of leaving the
Elks Club corner at 8:15 o'clock as
scheduled, 1t was ten o'clock before
the motorcade got under way 1t was
anticipated that wet roads would be
encountered, especially where dirt
roads were covered, but to the sur
pris and delight of those who made
the trip, 1t was found that the op-
posite was true. The roads were in
perfect condition, and excellent time
was made In fact they were so good
that by the time that Winnebago
was reached the party was only
twenty minutes behind the schedule.
The first stop was made at Lake
greeted the party. Sounding of MA
greetd the party. Sounding of kla-
xons announced the arrival of the
boosters. After having been SER
enaded by the Mankato Boys Band,
the crowd was addressed by l. N.
Tompkins. After having explained
the cause Of the delay in reaching
Lake Crystal, Mr.. Tompkins called
attention to the fact that according
to present Indications, the exhibits
boys and girls club stuff, culinary,
art work, automobiles, machinery,
and the other articles and things
usually exhibited at fairs will be on
more extensive scale this year
than ever He called attention to the
high class attractions that are to be
shown daily at the fair, laying part
ocular stress on Mystic China, the
big fireworks spectacle that will be
shown on each of the four nights of
the fair. He said that Mystic Chi
Ia" was the outstanding feature OF
the night show at the Minnesota
State Fair last year, and that a
space of ground 500 by 200 feet is
required for the massive scenery of
the production, and that more than
150 people .gorgeously costumed,
take part in it. After Mr.. Tompkins
er selection, and then the party
moved on.
Program Was Duplicated
Madelia was visited next, and
there the program was duplicated.
The band played, Mr.. Tompkins
spoke, and everybody seemed hap
py. Madelia Is a thriving city and
its people are very friendly to
Mankato, and the friendship Is
mutual of course.
Lewisville came next. After the
band had played, the speech of well
come to the Mankato Fair was made
by w. e. Olson. He also dwelt on
the exhibits, but emphasized the
free attractions. He called atten-
ton to the balloon ascension and
parachute drop that will take place
daily at the fair. He said that this
is an old time act, but one that had
not been seen hereabouts for many
years, and one that most children
and young men and women have
never witnessed, and therefore urg
ed that this opportunity to see a
balloon ascension and parachute
drop be not passed by, He also
called attention to the high dive
that will take place before the grand
stand each afternoon and evening
during the fair. In this act a dive
is made from the top Of a hundred
foot ladder into tank containing
but So inches of water. Auto ball
which will also be played day and
night at the fair was also dwelt
upon by Mr.. Olson. This game he
said promises to ne even better
than auto polo, which is always a
thriller. Especial attention was
called to the baseball games that
are to be played daily at the fair,
the horse racing Mystic China"
and the numerous other big time"
attractions that will be shown at the
exposition. Following Mr.. Olson's
talk another selection was played by
the band and whistles of course were
distributed. At Lewisyille the men
in the party were given a treat that
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