The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-04-01
IAN ADEQUATE AND BETTER
W
GARRETT COUNTY FAIR
Text of an Address Delivered By
DR.. T. B. Symons Before Oak
land Business Mems Group

IA recent meeting of group of
Oakland business men held for the
purpose of furthering the more sue
cessful annual Garrett County Fair,
DR.. T. B. Symons, Director Of Extern
sion of the University of Maryland,
took a great interest in the delibera-
lions of the meeting and addressed
the assembly.
DR.. Symons remarks upon the occa-
sion were spoken earnestly and give
much food for thought by those hav-
ing the interest of a more successful
and better fair at heart.
DR.. Symons remarks at the meet
ing were as follows:
at is doubtful if the citizens of
Garrett county fully appreciate the
real possibility of an agricultural fair
in the county A good fair is one of
the most educational influences that
can be introduced into a community.
1t arouses the pride of the individual
in the possibilities of his home county.
I have not much use for man or
woman who does not think his home
town and county are the best in the
State. You have had a most COM
mendable fair in the past, but all of
the citizens have not been aroused as
to its possibilities and what a real
fair will mean to the farmers and
business interests of the county. | am
glad to see a movement such as has
been launched that will bring the
farmers and business men together
for the promotion of a common cause,
a greater and better County fair in
the future. 1t is only through CO.
operation of all interests in county
that the best results can be secured.
''Garrett is the largest county in
Maryland, with land area of 1885,
400 acres. 1t has, according to the
last census, over $4,000 citizens. 1t
mas 1910 farms. Its primary interest
& is agricultural. It has hardly begun
% develop its great agricultural posi-
7oilities. A good County fair, with ex-
hibits of first class products and live
stock that are raised in the county,
will be an incentive towards improv-
ing our standards and inducing our
farmers to give greater attention to
che variety and quality of products
that can be raised in the county.
81 want every man, woman and
child to get interested in the fair.
This can be accomplished if you folk
start now upon a well drawn up cam
paign to interest the people in the ad-
vertising possibilities of such an en-
terprise. l believe you should desig-
nate Fair Week as "Home Coming
Week" for the folk of Garrett county,
and the sons and daughters of this
grand county who have sought to live,
shall say in more undesirable spots
in this country. Garrett is the most
beautiful county in Maryland, with
scenery unsurpassed, mountains,
valleys, lakes and running streams,
and a summer climate that is the envy
of other sections of Maryland. You
should appeal to the tourists who are
now passing through Maryland by the
thousands during the year. You
should commence your advertising
campaign for the Fair in the near
future, having definite goal built
upon drawing tourists this summer
and a home coming of all from Gar
rett county during Fair Week.
"Some of the points that should be
considered in laying the foundation of
a comprehensive County Fair are as
follows:
81. Earnest and practical coopera-
ton between all business and farming
interests.
"2. The people should be made ac-
quainted with what a good fair will
mean to the community. This will in
clude-installing greater pride in
the citizens; providing for the produc-
tion of better products, and particu-
larly showing the agricultural posi-
bilities of the county.
"3. A fair should be built upon
high ideals, backed by good common
sense in its development.
"a. You should have broad-vision-
ed and unselfsh leaders. These should
include both business men and farm
Prs, and the directors should be
Joint director.
SO. Concentrate on one or two
specialties, so that the Fair can be
known far and wide for one or two
special lines of exhibits. These might
be sheep, or other live stock, or spec
ial products.
sc. Provide frst-class amuse-
l-.ients. People usually go to the fair
to be entertained as well as to observe
the products of the county. Too much
thought cannot be given to providing
proper amusements and recreation