The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-18
The Lake Region Fair

Devils Lake JournaD
Good judgment no doubt dictated the decision of the
Lake Region Fair association to withdraw from Circuit
A-the big Four"-in North Dakota, as reported Satur-
DAY In The journal. 1t is quite evident that utilization
with this group, which includes Fargo, Grand Forks and
Mlnot, involves unwarranted expenditures for entertain
ment. but since the Lake Region Fair association some
time ago felt that the people Of the Lake Region were
entitled to just as good fair entertainment as those in
other sections OF the state, it was quite natural that the
local association hooked up with the fairs which could.
by cooperative effort, secure the best entertainment that
could be secured any place in the country.
When the Lake Region fair started here some years
ago as a county fair, it was realized that the city and the
region could support a much larger fair. The first grand
stand revue shown at the fair grounds proved that the
falr here had outgrown county proportions and was en-
titled to be claSSed with the state fairs. The Lake Region
Fair association tried to give the people the best that
money could buy.
Soon. however, a change took place in the entertain
ment desires OF the people. The open air revue failed to
pull" SO to speak, as the first ones did. However, mas
much as the other members Of the Big -Four" group
insisted upon revues, it was natural that Devils Lake
also continue such entertainment. It was found, especial
ly last year. that the days of the revue at fairs were
fast passing, and that those in charge of fair entertain
ment would have to look elsewhere for drawing cards.
1t was quite possible that the advent Of the "talkies" in
the amusement world had much to do with the decreas-
Ing interest III fair revues. The fact remains that one
may go to a talking picture, see and hear the best
choruses that the entire world can produce at one third
the price he may have to pay to sec a revue of lesser
worth at a fair. MI. J. A. Kramer. while president OF
the North Dakota Association of Fairs, stressed this point
in his annual address to the association last year.
AL fairs depend upon economic conditions for their Sue
CSO. roAo vi IN ONICeQ 0CdtcS were INTENDED QrlmdI-
lily to educate. inspire and entertain the farming popu-
lation. No city by itself can support a fair. It must
depend upon the rural communities. Thus, when the
farmers arc hard pressed, the fairs must suffer, and this
is what has happened to the Lake Region fair the last
three years. A similar condition might prevail through
out North Dakota the coming fair season.
Another important element enters into the larger fairs
Of North Dakota. Every two years the state legislature
makes appropriations for the fairs at Fargo, Grand Forks,
Mtnot and Mandan. Devils Lake never has been 50
favored, although it has given fairs Of the same proper
ton as those given in the state-aid cities. Last year,
for instance, had the fair in this city state aid, the deficit
might have been negligible.
It Is sincerely to be hoped that the Lake Region Fair
association will not become discouraged over the lack
Of support given its recent fairs here. Smaller cities
than Devils Lake support fairs: the only question is,
what kind Of a fair docs Ramsey county or the Lake
Region want?