TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART III 159 



and yellow, as the art hall, or the horticultural buildings which from the 



standpoint of beauty were veritable dreams of loveliness. 



At the extreme other end was the automobile show that for arrange- 

 ment, construction, and decoration has never been equalled in the state. 

 This building, or frame work, was 80x326 feet, covered and walled by 

 canvas. The interior was completely enclosed in white lattice work. 

 Overhead was a solid mass of imported beach leaves dotted here and 

 there with yellow poppies, over 3,000 being used in the decoration. In 

 this show were fifty-two models of cars, tractors and trucks. Think of 

 that for a town of 6,000. 



To the usual fair ground and grandstand act there was added a feature 

 that is only possible in the smaller cities. A historical pageant employ- 

 ing 300 people, with a ballet of 100 charming young ladies and every man 

 and woman and child in the spectacle in daily touch with the people all 

 over the County. Give this some thought. The spectacle was dated for 

 but three performances but to accommodate the crowds four were given 

 and on at least two nights as many as 3,000 people sat on the dirt track 

 unable to get seats in the grandstand or the added bleachers, over 3,000 

 being erected specially for the pageant crowd. 



The Exposition was a success from every point of view as a beautiful 

 show. The cost of construction of booths and automobile show was esti- 

 mated at $31.50 for each exhibitor for space used. The pageant paid 

 for itself, the added feature increasing the gate receipts. The public and 

 press proclaimed it the greatest fair Poweshiek County ever held. Experi- 

 ments are oft times costly. Results are uncertain. The shrewd fair 

 manager will base his calculations on established fact. There can be but 

 one possible element entering into the success or failure of the Exposi- 

 tion combined with the County Fair. Even then it is possible to insure 

 against that. I have reference to rain insurance. If then the combination 

 is in truth without a recorded failure and sufficient evidence can be 

 brought forward to support that contention, why not an Exposition with 

 every County Fair and a state-wide success? Here comes the rub. Com- 

 munities are different. ' Many county fair boards are made up of men 

 whose personal interests are so centered upon one idea, one feature, a 

 real worthwhile Exposition would be impossible. 



Again, it requires an educational campaign among merchants and manu- 

 facturers as well as the farmers. It requires hours of intelligent, thought- 

 ful, experienced consideration. The manager must have his hand on the 

 pulse of the people and familiarize himself with every detail of such a 

 show. Unlike the National Advertiser the man accustomed to direct 

 returns from his business, must be shown the futility of attempting to 

 establish a firm foundation on "Bargain Sales." Neither must a fair ex- 

 pect to enlarge and build a great Fair and Exposition and pay for it from 

 the first year's gate receipts. 



The County Fair and Exposition should be made a county event and 

 of local interest. Having faced for several years the men of "Can't" and 

 having watched their mournful predictions fade away like snow in the 

 melting sun, I am convinced that the County has but to annex the Expo- 



