66 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



interested in canning and food conservation. The Poultry Building 

 and the Agricultural Building were centers of attraction according 

 to the varied tastes of the visitors. The beautiful Women and Chil- 

 dren's Building was thronged the day long with femininity, from 

 tiny tots to tottering age, with more than few members of the stern- 

 er sex, some frankly enjoying the programs, others obsessed with 

 an air of uncertainty as if doubtful wliether even their boasted 

 rights as lords of creation entitled them to enter. 



By midday the majority was beginning to weary of sightseeing, 

 and with lunch disposed of there was a general movement toward 

 the grandstand and bleachers to enjoy the afternoon program of 

 racing, music, hippodrome acts of more than a dozen varieties, 

 auto polo, etc., in unbroken succession till supper time. 



SOLDIERS ADDED TO INTEREST 



The presence of nearly 5,000 soldiers camped upon and about the 

 grounds added greatly to the enjoyment of the days and stirred 

 untouched wells of patriotism in the hearts of a people who have 

 been finding it just a bit hard to get fully adjusted to the fact that 

 the United States, so long a nation of peaceful pursuits, is at last 

 actively engaged in the mighty war across the Atlantic. 



Friday, August 25, was signalized by a Flag Raising, conducted 

 by the fair officials and the state troops. A splendid staff, 125 

 feet high, had been set in the centerfiield just across from the grand 

 stand. After the customary military ceremonies and to the ac- 

 companiment of the Star Spangled Banner by the band the "flag 

 of our fathers" was run up to the top and its folds floated out in 

 the free winds of heaven. It was followed by the English and the 

 French flags, and throughout the fair the three splendid banners 

 of red, white and blue made a beautiful and inspiring picture 

 against the sky, emblems of the great international endeavor to 

 establish a world-wide democracy and to bring about conditions 

 which shall insure everlasting peace upon earth. 



The following day the colored troops, 1,200 strong, came in from 

 the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Des Moines and put on a 

 series of drills and maneuvers that demonstrated military training 

 and efficiency in a way that very few of Iowa's two millions and 

 more citizens had ever witnessed. 



On "Wednesday of the following week. State Day, Colonel E. R. 

 Bennett tendered Governor Harding a review of the Third Iowa 

 Infantry. Twenty thousand people packed the grandstand and 



