DIVISION OF FAIRS 

 Stephen F. Quinn, Director 



In spite of cold, rainy and raw days--probably the worst fall weather- 

 in some years — our fairs managed to break records in attendance and exhibits. 



This is not only the first year we recorded over 3,000,000 patrons 

 visiting one of the agricultural fairs within the state, but the total 

 attendance of 4,160,643 is an all time high and is an increase of 25 percent 

 over last year . 



A total of $315,168 were expended for prizes by the state and $136,770 

 were added by the fair societies themselves for the promotion of agriculture. 

 Exhibits displayed numbered 88,522 and 38,206 were exhibits planned by youth or 

 youth groups. 



The Massachusetts Building exhibits at the Eastern States Exhibition in 

 West Springfield enjoyed a tremendous reception in spite of the fact that the 

 weather was poor on seven out of the twelve days. Nevertheless, 1,016,051 

 patrons, down 73,949 from the previous year, came to see the exhibits and spend 

 enough money to make the fair the most profitable of all times. 



New exhibits included a few manufacturing companies who process within the 

 state and utilize our raw agricultural products. They were the Oxford Pickle 

 Company, Friendly Ice Cream, and Carando Meats. The fairgoers truly enjoyed a 

 sample of their products. The Soil Conservation Service did a great job with an 

 exhibit on soil erosion and measures to prevent it. 



Ten part-time fair inspectors were employed again this year to help aid the 

 Division in its monitoring of the agriculture prizes and the use of rehabilita- 

 tion monies. 



The rehabilitation committee met in Ashland at the 4-H Center in December 

 and approved $80,500 from request of $361,085, from 49 fairs. 



The wool blanket program established during the previous year received 

 national recognition as a great direct marketing approach in assisting the wool 

 industry. 



Growers who took part in the program received $1.25 per pound for their wool 

 as opposed to those who sold directly into the New England pool, who received 

 only 78 cents per pound. Over twelve hundred blankets were manufactured and sold 

 to obtain this goal. This year we expect to manufacture over two thousand 

 blankets with the raw price of wool at forty cents per pound. Nationally there 

 is a great need to further promote the concept of this program. 



The total appropriated budget for the fiscal year was $759,613. Of this 

 total $472,113 were appropriated for the fair prize awards, fair inspections, 

 promotional programs, and administration costs; $87,500 were appropriated for the 

 rehabilitation program to help assist with the upkeep at the fair grounds; 

 $200,000 for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred programs. With the enactment of 

 Chapter 558 of the Acts of 1981 further promoting the equine industry in the State, 

 three new accounts were set up within the Division and were funded through a 

 supplementary budget. The Thoroughbred Program received $220,000; The Standard- 

 Bred Program received $152,031 and the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine received 

 $65,657 for equine research, scholarships and loans. 



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