PROCEEDINGS STATE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION 79 



the communities in which they are held. This has resulted in a 

 larger number of exhibitors, a larger and better exhibit of live stock 

 and a liberal increase in premiums in all departments. 



The total attendance of the ninety-five fairs was 1,571,940, which 

 was an increase of 95,898 over that of 1921. The total paid admis- 

 sions were 1,273,406, an increase of 64,123. Seventy-nine fairs put 

 on programs in front of the grand stand in the afternoon with an 

 attendance of 374,055. This showed an increase of 42,855 over the 

 previous year. Eighty-two fairs put on night shows with a total 

 attendance of 191,042, an increase of 34,975 over the attendance 

 in 1921. 



The reports covering rain insurance show that forty-two fairs 

 carried rain insurance this year as compared with eighteen in 1921. 

 The total insurance carried was $308,550.00 and the premiums 

 amounted to $35,423.53. Nine of these fairs collected $17,750.00 in- 

 surance. Comparing the cost and the benefit of rain insurance for 

 the years 1921 and 1922 the results were just reversed. In 1921 

 eighteen fairs carried $221,500 insurance at a cost of $18,359.80 

 and collected in losses $56,811.17. In 1922 thirty-nine fairs carried 

 $308,550.00 at a cost of $35,423.53 and collected $17,750.00. 



The reports reflect a wide difference of opinion among fair man- 

 agers as to the advisability of carrying rain insurance. A number 

 contend that figuring over a period of several years, the fairs can 

 best afford to carry their own risk, especially where they are suc- 

 cessful in selling season tickets in advance of the fair. Others 

 contend that the rates are too high to warrant carrying insurance. 

 This contention, however, is not borne out if we are to take cost 

 and insurance collected by the fairs in Iowa for the past two 

 years. A number contend that it is possible to have the attend- 

 ance ruined by rains near the fairgrounds, or on hours not cov- 

 ered by the policy or cold cloudy weather and still be unable to 

 collect any insurance. On the other hand quite a number feel the 

 rain insurance is a life saver for county fairs and no fair can 

 afford to carry their own insurance. Especially is this true with 

 fairs that are badly in debt. 



