TWENTIETH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IV 417 



enough of the dare-devil spirit manifested in suclx a contest to develop 

 acute interest in the outcome of races and the element of danger adds to 

 the popularity of such races. The midway stunts, the entertaining- fea- 

 tures in the stock pavilion and the exhibitions in the air by daring bird- 

 men, together with the great display of fireworks at night, made the oc- 

 casion one of intense interest. 



It is estimated that 20,000 people camped upon the grounds this season. 

 About 100 acres of wooded tract was given over to this feature and the 

 delightful weather made this a real enjoyable way of seeing the big fair. 

 The members of the several boys' clubs were fitted out in large tents and 

 they thoroughly enjoyed the innovation. The social side of the fair was 

 one of its strong points. People from all sections of the state met in 

 friendly spirit and cheerful mood and there was good nature and kindly 

 consideration on every hand. It mattered not how badly people were dis- 

 commoded, they maintained a sweet spirit and a cheerful composure. There 

 v/ere a larger number of automobiles in the grounds than ever before as- 

 sembled at any function in the Middle West. The newly acquired ground 

 i-orth of the race track, which afforded a landing place for airplanes, 

 proved a popular provision, as several flyers from different sections of the 

 state came by the air route. 



The Department of Agriculture responsible for Iowa's leadership in state 

 fair exhibits and attractions is composed of a progressive, public-spirited 

 lot of men, coming from all sections of the state. C. E. Cameron, presi- 

 dent, has held the pos'ition for 18 or 20 years and he is one of the best 

 fair men in America. A. R. Corey, the secretary, knows the game from 

 the ground up and he keeps in close touch with all interests and all in- 

 dustries. He is a big man in a big place. The directors are alive to the 

 best interests of the commonwealth and to their keen interest and en- 

 thusiastic support Iowa is' indebted for much of the prominence given her 

 because of the matchless position the great fair holds among similar in- 

 stitutions the country over. 



IOWA STATE FAIR MEETING. 

 From The Horseman, Indianapolis, Indiana. 



Never was a race meeting staged under more favorable conditions than 

 the Great Western Circuit meeting in connection with the Iowa State Fair 

 at Des Moines this week. The weather was' ideal for the comfort of the 

 people and warm enough to be conducive to fast miles. E. J. Curtin, su- 

 perintendent of speed, had this model racing plant, including the track, 

 in as good condition as the best of the big line plants and kept it that 

 way throughout the week. This was in spite of the fact that many other 

 attractions during the day and night were staged upon the speed oval, in- 

 cluding the gallopers', auto polo, etc. The grand stand and bleachers were 

 kept clean and fit for the use of the most particular person and at no time 

 during the racing was there any dust flying to mar the pleasure of those 

 who came out to see the races. 



Suffice it to say the people of Iowa enjoy harness racing, for every day 

 the great grand stand and bleachers were filled to their capacity. All 

 during the morning hours at the grand stand windows there were con- 

 tinuous lines of people waiting to get an opportunity to purchase seats 

 and long before the races started the most desirable seats were filled anx- 

 iously awaiting the first heat. 



Some secretary may ask why these people from Iowa and thousands from 

 other states attend the harness racing here in S'uch large numbers, with 

 the attendance increasing each year. The answer is simple. They enjoy 

 harness racing and they know they can attend under the most favorable 

 conditions, for Mr. Curtin looks after their comfort and personally super- 

 intends all details. From the handsome brick paddock (the best racing 

 paddock in America) he has the horses coming onto the track for the next 

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