Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-06
DEVELOPMENT
OF FAIR seen
IN new MOVES
Entire Year to be De-
voted to Plans For
Building up Valley
wide Exposition
By II. G.. STILWELL, JR.
Staff CORRESPONDENT

Inc directors NJ kndi AAHt moAN "
change in the fair which has been
c~onsidered necessary by many Of
those who have worked with II, and
which promises much for the future
OF the exposition-that Is, the m
ployment OF a full time secretary
manager.
The secretary-manager selected IS
one we'll known wherever there are
fairs in Texas-W. +. Donovan OF
Gonzales-as he has built up the
fair association there from n be-
ginning of practically nothing Tour
years & to one of the best county
fairs in the state of Texas.
Stuart. Fields Aided
In the past the Valley fair has
been the result mainly OF about five
70 eight weeks Of feverish work on
the part Of a handful Of Valley peo-
pie interested in the event. Even as
such il has proved OF general in
terest in the Valley. and has brought
thousands from other parts Of the
state as visitors. -.
During most Of the years that i
has been held. the active work has
not been started until a short time
before the beginning Of the fair. As
soon M IL EAuNtht Nv w.
gotten until the next year.
Two outstanding figures have
helped 10 build il up from the small
heg;nrino which Louis Alsmeyer.
former county agricultural agent
turned over to them. These two are
r. r. (Bob) Stuart, Valley lane man
and developer. and W. G. tBil)
Fields. Stuart has been president
Of the Valley fair snice i was
started as such. Fields has been
manager since IL was started on a
Valley-wide scale until last year.
Fine Auditorium
The first year that il was held as
n Valley Fair the thousands Of WIS
itors waded through mud to see the
exhibits and watch the parades and
other features Of the celebration.
This condition has been gradually
improved IN to the present time,
when the fair opens this year there
will be available for its use one OF
the finest auditoriums in south
Texas, the Harrington municipal au-
ditorium. and grounds and build
ings far above anything that the
fair has had in the past.
Still more extensive improvements
are MANNED on the fair grounds,
which are now the property Of the
CITY of Harlingen, but which VIII De
available 10 the fair every year un-
der an agreement made at the time
OF the purchase.
Many Aided
Stuart as president Of the fair
has given much Of his time and re-
sources TO building IL up on a Val
ley-wide scale. Fields directed the
institution during the days OF ITS
growth and worked on 1t until his
collapse during the most tense pc
riod Of preparation for the fair Of
1926.
Jimmie Heron was manager Of the
fair last year, and Mrs. j. @. Wood
worth was secretary. Stuart was
president, but announced before the
fair opened that he would not again
be able TO serve on account OF the
press of other business.
A large part of the work in the
fair Just closed was borne by Mrs. S.
r. Jennings, Burger A. Ewing and
several other residents Of Harlin-
gen. who were in charge Of the pa
rade. the pageants. and other such
features Of the celebration.
New Officers
The new manager will go into Of
flee with a new set Of officers at
the head Of the fair. although the
the board Of directors will remain
the same. Sam Bolts. Harrington
produce man. and for several years
active as a director in the fair. is
president of it. Joe n. Roberts of
Harrington is first vice president.
and Mayor s. Finley Ewing Of Har-
lingen is secretary.
In selecting a full time secretary
the directors Of the organization
conferred with officials Of the state
fair at Dallas, and three men were
recommended TO them. Mr.. Donovan
being one Of the three.
Mr.. Donovan is about 40 years Of
age. He will probably be here with
in the next so days with his FAM
lily. and will make his home in Har-
lingen-
Manager Experienced
He has had extensive experience
with agriculture. live stock. racing,
athletics. and exhibits Of various
kinds. including art exhibits. He
is said to have a particularly pleas
ing personality. with an unusual abil-
ity at securing cooperation from all
persons with whom he comes in rom
tact.
One Of the first events upon his
arrival here will be an introduction
banquet. ut which will assemble lead
ing figures in the fair association.
chamber Of m men, and 9TH
or Valley people with the new fair
manager.
Mr.. Donovan is expected then 20
launch into the work at once. with
one of the first objects being TO
outline n complete set Of rules and
regulations, revising many Of the
rules which have been in force here
tofore.
Order Audit
He will then work with the va
rious communities in all parts of
the Valley, and with the other Of
ficers of the fair association in
rounding into shape plans for the
1928 Valley Fair, which is TO be un-
dertaken and carried put on a scale
far surprising anything that the fair
has attempted in the past
The directors ut their meeting
went on record as favoring an audit
OF the fair books. adjustment Of
any financial matters which may
confront the organization. and set
Element Of any other business mat
tiers which may come before the or
~ganization.
Another meeting Of the board will
he held in about two weeks. at which
time more definite plans for the
fair work will be decided upon.
Support Pledged
Secretary Myron +. Ward of the
Harlingen Chamber Of Commerce.
and the directors OF that organiza-
tin have pledged their active sup
port to the new fair manager and
officers in helping to make 4 success
Of IL. Similar expressions Of CO.