THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XIII 741 



The automobile exhibit was gathered under the grandstand. The 

 floor space was filled with cars of standai-d makes, the medium priced 

 ones in the majority, and aisles were simply thronged with farmers 

 seeking information concerning motor cars. In encouraging automobile 

 exhibits fair managers undoubtedly add an attraction of great interest. 



A bench show, with an extra small admission fee, demonstrated the 

 possibilities in a state fair exhibition of dogs. Its popularity was very 

 plain. The classification was open to improvement, and already com- 

 petent authority has been engaged to perfect it for another year. Several 

 Chicago exhibitors sent entries of unusual excellence and a kennel show 

 is firmly established as a drawing feature at this fair. 



The pike was inoffensive. It has been gathered apart unto itself. Its 

 nearest tent is 60 feet back from the street, and its entrance is not con- 

 spicuous. People who w^ant that sort of diversion can find it on inquiry, 

 and those who do not, need not know that it is on the grounds. The 

 authorities vouched for the decent character of these shows, as they 

 were winnowed out before engagement. 



The Coliseum night shows played to crowded houses. Scarcely a night 

 did accommodations suffice to hold those who willingly paid an extra 

 half dollar to see these arena performances. A little horse show was 

 sandwiched in, together with contrasting exhibitions of the Morris 

 six-horse team, and the Heyl six-in-hand of Shetland ponies, hitched to 

 a miniature truck — a novel and entertaining feature. The unusually 

 high class of horses in harness and under saddle permitted some very 

 interesting events which were judged as a part of the Coliseum night 

 programs. The arena was beautifully lighted and handsomely decorated 

 with flags and bunting, and enlivening music was furnished in abun- 

 dance. While the grandstand at the race track was packed each night 

 with people who viewed the special attractions which ended with fire 

 works, the Coliseum also drew overflowing houses. As money-makers 

 these night attractions have so thoroughly proved themselves that the 

 student of such exhibitions wonders that any state fair has so far lagged 

 behind the procession as to fail to incorporate them in its program. 



The racing was very entertaining. The half mile track breaks no 

 records, but the events were races, not processions, and the crowd 

 greatly enjoyed them. Specialty acts, including airships that sailed 

 beautifully, separated the races, and there was something on the carpet 

 every minute in front of the grandstand. 



The gate receipts at this fair ran uniformly ahead of last year. The 

 weather was of the regulation corn brand. The furnace seven times 



