38 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



COUNTY AND DISTRICT FAIRS 



County and district fairs throughout Iowa experienced the most suc- 

 cessful year in their history during 1920, Ninety-four fairs were held 

 during the year. That these fairs are constantly gaining ground and 

 are receiving stronger support each year is indicated in the reports made 

 to the Department of Agriculture. 



State aid paid during 1920 amounts to $113,013.04. This was an in- 

 crease of $22,504.54 over the amount paid in 1919. 



With the bettering of the financial condition of most of these fairs, 

 there also came a record of marked increases in the exhibits entered 

 in practically all departments. Swine exhibits showed 31,565 during 1920 

 as compared to 19,815 during 1919. The horse department, which had 

 fallen as low as 3,911 entries in 1918, has a record list of 5,000 during 

 1920. This same trend toward greater interest on the part of farmers 

 and stock raisers was reflected generally in the entries for all depart- 

 ments during the year just closed. 



Attendance totals ran slightly higher than for 1919. The total attend- 

 ance at all county and district fairs during the season was 1,795,783, 

 about 200,000 more than the previous year. 



Total receipts for these fairs were $2,229,024.33. This is an increase 

 of $878,282.67 over the previous year. Receipts at the outside gates 

 brought $699,434.80, about $130,000 more than in 1919, and the grand stand 

 receipts v/ere likewise nearly $100,000 more than the previous season. 



Entry fees in the speed departments brought in $38,610.63, concession 

 privileges $157,483.50, advertising in programs and premium lists $37,- 

 186.51, and miscellaneous receipts $143,224.76. 



While attendance and profits grew during the year, the cost of holding 

 these fairs showed a material increase. The total expense of all fairs 

 was $1,215,161.47, nearly $400,000 more than 1919. Music and attractions 

 were the greatest single items of expense, costing a total of $328,703.97. 

 Speed premiums amounted to $218,592.11, premiums other than speed 

 $243,702.97, and miscellaneous expenses $424,032.41. 



Seventy-seven fairs showed a profit of $219,922.31 during the year and 

 seventeen recorded a loss of $17,479.32. The ninety-five fairs thus 'showed 

 a net profit of $202,442.99. 



The fact that state aid is a great factor in keeping many of these fairs 

 going and that it has helped a number of them to ultimate financial in- 

 dependence, can be seen from the figures quoted here. If this fund were 

 not available the big work which these county and district fairs are doing 

 in tKese communities would not be able to go on. 



