TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 691 



ings were a trifle too cool for comfort, especially when the fireworks dis- 

 play in the open air was to be witnessed. But the cool evenings crowded 

 ihe pavilion whei'e the fine stock was nightly exhibited, with vaudeville 

 attractions thrown in for diversion. It is inevitable that it must rain 

 some day during fair week, but fortunately this year the rainy day was 

 deferred until Thursday, when a drizzle set in that lasted throughout the 

 day, cutting down the atendance very materially. However, the day be- 

 fore had brought the aggregate up to 207,000, which was 20,000 more than 

 had attended the 1908 fair throughout the entire week, so the inclement 

 weather did not work as much mischief as if it had come earlier in the 

 week. 



The tendency of state fairs nowadays is toward permanent buildings 

 which shall be suitable housing for stock and crop exhibits. Iowa is mak- 

 ing rapid progress in the displacement of old, frame structures with brick 

 and steel concrete buildings. The stock pavilion is a splendid structure, 

 having a large show ring in unobstructed view of the circular galleries ac- 

 commodating several thousand people. The swine quarters and stock judg- 

 ing pavilion are of brick — roomy and sanitary. The new administration 

 building is an architectural adornment to the grounds and in addition to 

 housing the officials and containing reception and dining halls, provides 

 room, both inside and out, for rest and accomodation of visitors. This 

 year a splendid new grandstand of steel and concrete replaced the old, 

 frame structure which for' years past was too small for the crowds and 

 was long a veritable fire and panic trap. The new amphitheater is only 

 two-thirds the size originally planned, the legislature having cut down the 

 desired appropriation from $160,000 to $100,000. However, it accomodates 

 10,000 people and is one of the best designed grandstands on any fair 

 grounds in the country. It is still incomplete, but near enough finished 

 to be used to the comfort and convenience of the thousands who witnessed 

 the races, vaudeville performances and nightly fireworks display from its 

 comfortable seats. A new race track has been built, with every inch of 

 it in plain view of every seat in the grandstand. Between the amphithea- 

 ter and the track has been placed a wide paddock. 



There is still urgent need of more permanent brick or steel concrete 

 buildings on the grounds. The exposition hall is of great interest to the 

 ladies, but it is difficult of access (being reached only by a hard climb up 

 a rather abrupt and steep hill) and so crowded inside as to jumble the 

 exhibits together without much regard to the comfort either of exhibitors 

 or visitors. Displaying fancy dress goods and high-priced furniture in 

 such deplorably poor surroundings is altogether wrong. Probably the next 

 building which the management should provide is a fine new machinery 

 hall. Farm machinery is playing a most important part in the present 

 prosperity and the future prospects of Iowa. Ninety-five per cent of the 

 visitors to the Iowa State Fair are interested in new, improved farm ma- 

 chinery and desire to inspect it thoroughly. 



The 1909 fair was notable because of the many men and women of 

 national prominence who were attracted to it. Undoubtedly the most 

 interest was centered in General and Mrs. Frederick D. Grant, who were 



