206 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



EEPOKT OF SECRETARY-MANAGEK. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Executive Committee: 



I am pleased to submit herewith my report of the Seventieth Annual 

 Michigan State Fair held August 29th to September 7th, and recom- 

 mendations for your consideration. I am sure you will all concede that 

 the 1019 Fair was by far the most successful ever held by our Society, 

 and its growth, both financially and in public opinion, during the past 

 seven years has without question been marvelous. It is true the weather 

 conditions this year were ideal from start to finish. It only rained twice 

 during the ten days of the Fair, both times being in the night, which 

 did not interfere with our attendance. With all of our vast throngs of 

 people, there was no record of any accident of a serious nature what- 

 ever, a fact largely due to the splendid co-operation and the care taken 

 by the men in charge of the different deiiartments of our Fair. We hav i 

 received many complimentary letters endorsing the administration this 

 year, and, taking it all in all, the prospects for the 1920 Fair could not 

 be better. 



OPENING NIGHT. 



At five o'clock p. m., August 29th, the opening day of the Fair, we 

 opened the outside gates to the public, free of charge, and held a com- 

 munity dance on the pavement from the Administration Building to the 

 Grand Stand. Seven bands were used, and it was a grand success in 

 every way. It brought many thousands of people to our Fair the first 

 night who no doubt had never before attended, which fact was evidenced 

 from the attendance in the Grand Stand, which was entirely filled and 

 for which we charged admission. At eight o'clock the Fair was formally 

 opened by Governor Albert E. Sleeper with an address from the Grand 

 Stand, after which a splendid i^rogram of free attractions and music 

 was enjoyed, which I am sure had much to do with our continued at- 

 tendance throughout the Fair. 



UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT EXHIBIT. 



Our United States Government exhibit, comprised of the combined 

 War, Navy and other Government exhibits except Agriculture, was 

 staged on Uie ui>i)(n' floor of the Automobile Building. We had to guar- 

 antee .11,000.00 for the ex])ense of same and send a certified check to 

 Washington. It is expected that a ])orli()n of this amount will be re- 

 turned to us. The exhibit that was furnished was very interesting, the 

 men liandliug it were very courteous and obliging, and T believe it was 

 appreciated. 



WILD LIFE EXHiniT. 



The Wild Life Exhibit this year was one of the main attractions at 

 the Fair. It Avas staged by the Secretary of the Michigan Sportsman 

 instead of by the State Game Commissioner as in 1918. It was con- 

 ducted veiy ecouomicall}' and satisfactorily, and drew a large attendance. 



