68 'I*WENTY-SECOND ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART II 



close of the fair practically every program, meeting and demon- 

 stration was crowded to capacity. 



The program in the women's department this year was more 

 elaborate than ever before. Practically every women's interest and 

 activity in the state was represented. 



As in former years, the baby health contest, with competitions 

 both for city, town and rural babies, held the center of interest 

 throughout the fair. Of equal popularity were the pageants and 

 plays. The "Legend of the Rose", presented under the direction 

 of Miss Essie Hathaway and carrying a cast of 50 costumed chil- 

 dren, was one of the most pleasing features of the program. The 

 Little Theater plays, supervised by L. Worthington Smith of Drake 

 University, were also among the interesting items on the daily 

 program, A state conference on the subject of the Little Theater 

 brought out a profitable discussion for those in attendance and 

 lent an added impetus to the work along these lines which is being 

 conducted by the various cities at the present time. One of the 

 most helpful features of the department was the Milk Fairy 

 Pageant, put on by the State College in cooperation with the Dairy 

 Council and similar interests. 



The style shows were elaborate in the extreme this year. 

 Twenty-five different dresses, cloaks and other articles of apparel 

 were shown each day on living models. A runway through the 

 audience assisted in the study of the various types shown. 



Home economics lectures and demonstrations put on through 

 the Extension Department of the State College were of wide in- 

 terest and drew packed rooms each day. Canning, cooking and 

 sewing demonstrations were equally popular. 



The playground for children, under the Des Moines Playground 

 Association, was an added convenience which appealed to mothers. 

 Special supervisors were in charge of the play and all sorts of ap- 

 paratus for the youngsters' enjoyment was provided. 



The amusement program of the 1921 fair was easily the most 

 elaborate and the most carefully planned of any ever arranged on 

 the Iowa exposition grounds. Everything from Ruth Law's Fly- 

 ing Circus to the big night fireworks spectacle in front of the grand 

 stand was selected from the finest outdoor entertainment ofifer- 

 ings to be found in the country. Auto racing, horse racing, hippo- 

 drome, balloon ascensions, auto polo and similar features thrilled 

 the crowds in front of the grand stand. Adding to the carnival 

 spirit were eight bands, orchestras ^n(J drum corps, providing con- 



