DIVISION OF FAIRS 

 Dennis J. Flynn, Director 



FAIR ACTIVITIES 



The fairs offer an atmosphere of fion and good times 

 while educating the public of the importance of agriculture in 

 Massachusetts. 



Over 2,121,192 people paid admission to one of the various 

 types of fairs conducted. There were 126 fairs held during the 

 fiscal year, of which 22 were Major, 24 Community, 22 Livestock, 

 35 Grange and 25 Youth fairs. 



To stimulate and encourage agricultural exhibits and 

 displays at fairs, $256,875 in cash prizes were awarded by the 

 Division and an additional $112,110 were paid by the fair assoc- 

 iations to further promote and encourage farming in the Common- 

 wealth. There were a total of 79,810 exhibitors, 35,008 of which 

 were youth. 



Once again the Massachusetts Building at the Eastern States 

 Exposition in West Springfield was a major highlight of the fair. 

 Various commodity groups from across the state exhibited in the 

 building to help promote their sales. Over 1 million people 

 visited the Exposition dxiring the 12 days. 



The Division hired 12 fair inspectors on a part-time basis 

 to aid the Director in overseeing the program. Their value is 

 shown in the reports received on each fair, assuring that the 

 State is in fact getting the most out of prizes awarded, and 

 rehabilitation monies allotted. 



REHABILITATION PROGRAM 



A total of $75,000 was appropriated for the rehabilitation 

 fund. This will be combined with next year's allocation to make 

 a much greater impact on the facilities. The Division offers 

 financial assistance to individual fairs to help defray the cost 

 of improvements in three categories, a) public health, b) animal 

 health, c) display. If it were not for the rehabilitation fund, 

 many fairs would have fallen into total disrepair and would be 

 lonable to operate. 



THOROUGHBRED HORSE PROGRAM 



The Massachusetts Breeding Program was enacted into law in 

 1969. The purpose of this program is to encourage agriculture 

 by the breeding of Thoroughbred horses in the Commonwealth, and 

 to maintain open spaces. Incentive award monies are paid to the 

 breeders of Mass. bred horses that finish first, second or third 

 in any pari-mutuel races at licensed Thoroughbred race tracks in 

 Massachusetts . 



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