EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART II 77 



like preparations visible on every side. The closing scenes of the 

 pageant were decidedly beautiful and spectacular, and the splen- 

 did tableau,. "The Call to the Colors," never failed to bring the 

 great audience to its feet in a glorious burst of enthusiasm. 



AFTERNOON PROGRAMS ENJOYED. 



The afternoon programs of racing and more than a dozen hip- 

 podrome and circus acts were thoroly enjoyed. The grand stand, 

 bleachers and paddock were packed day after day. The weather 

 was delightful, for one thing, and the amount and variety of en- 

 tertainment offered permitted no lagging of interest. From 1 :30 

 to 5 :30 it was a continuous performance. A three-ring circus is 

 a tame and colorless affair after an afternoon at the Iowa State 

 Fair when the weather is right and the program in full swing. 



It is true the race track is what horsemen call a ' ' twice around. ' ' 

 But it suits the Iowa people perfectly. They like to see the horses 

 come around often and they enjoy watching the progress of the 

 race thruout the entire mile, which is impossible to the unaided 

 eye on a mile track. Besides it is the contest rather than the 

 mere item of speed, that makes racing enjoyable; and when both 

 are furnished, as they were at the Iowa fair, there is nothing more 

 to be desired. Four harness races and twO' running races were 

 included in every afternoon program, along with a lively bout of 

 auto polo, drills by the soldiers and the previously mentioned 

 hippodrome stunts, 



PEOPLE THE BEST SHOW. 



After all the Iowa people themselves were the best part of the 

 fair. Think of 350,000 citizens of the state getting together in a 

 single week for a general touching of social and industrial el- 

 bows. Every county in the state contributed to this great annual 

 demonstration. Standing upon some high point of vantage an 

 observer might truthfully say: "Behold the population of Iowa!" 

 for every walk in life and every line of endeavor were repre- 

 sented. A clean, wholesome, prosperous people. A single compre- 

 hensive glance over the great throng was a sufficient evidence 

 that Iowa is indeed the "land of plenty." A law-abiding people 

 that needed no policing. An occasional unintentional infringement 

 of traffic rules by auto drivers constituted the sum total of trans- 

 gression. A busy people, a progressive people, a bone-dry people, 

 their two million souls filled with peace and contentment with 



