Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 29, DeMotte, Jasper County, 17 June 1949 — Reminisces As Fair Board Jubilee Nears [ARTICLE]

Reminisces As Fair Board Jubilee Nears

Members Trace Early Year Of Association As Jubilee Renewal Approaches The Japser County Fair executives met at the county agent’s office June 10 to make plans for the fourthcoming fair which will be The Jasper Co. Fair’s silver Jubilee, it having been twentyfive years ago the fair started at it’s present location. It was 25 years ago that men like Conrad Kellner, John Duvall, Henry Toben, Elmer Jacks, W. L. Bott, Ord Yeoman, T. M. Callahan and many others decided to have a Jasper Co. Fair. John Duvall and Conrad Kellner solicited for SIO.OO memberships and finally ended up with SIBOO.OO to start the fair. They with many other Jasper county people got together and with the county agent H. S. Agster set up their fair board. The first board had as its President, Henry Toben the old faithful of the Jasper County Fair. Henry served in that capacity till the spring Of 1948 after which E. E. Fultz took over. A 1 Wallace was secretary of the first fair. The directors were picked, one from each township with Bert Amsler the county Commissioner from the centeral part of the county acting as director at large. The executive committee consisted of the following: Elam Fleming, Ivan Ellsworth, Conrad Kellner and W. L. Bott general Superintendent. The heads of the different departments were as follows: John Duvall, Superintendent of speed. Kenton Parkison, Superintendent of horses.

Walter Randle, Superintendent of cattle. Charles Welsh, Superintendent of sheep. Elmer Jacks, Superintendent of hogs. C. E. Pullins, Superintendent of poultry. Ord Yeoman, Superintendent of agriculture. John Holden, Superintendent of Horticulture. T. M. Callahan, Superintendent of Mechanical and Industrial. Ed Duvall, Superintendent of Concessions. H. S. Agster, Superintendent of the clubs. M. L. Sterrett, Superintendent of county exhibits. K.. T. Rhoades, Superintendent of Auto racing. G. M. Wilcox, Superintendent of grounds. Ralph Sprague, Superintendent of Women’s dept. Thos. Blake, Superintendent of police. The fair of 25 years ago was all held under tents. Only the grandstand could be put up that first year and it was moved from the fair ground formerly run on the Dunlap grounds which is now included in the City park. The hog barn was the first building built. The Horticulture building was built the 3rd year of the fair and the horse and cattle barn was built the sth year. The

poultry house used to be a well house at the county farm but was moved to its present site by Ord Yeoman and what help he could get. All the work done out there in those first trying years were donated by the different interested individuals. In 1927 the fair had a rainy week and when the fair was over the board found themselves with no money and lots of unpaid bills. Lumber yards were going to sue them for unpaid accounts and others were after their money. The board met and a number of those men had so much faith in the fair and what it would do for the Jasper County people that they went to the bank and borrowed enough money to pay the fair bills and to get them started again. From that time on the fair has made it’s way but with sometimes very little capital on hand at the start "of the next year.

This year to celebrate the 25 years of struggle of the Jasper County Fair, plans are being made to make this the best fair yet. The Fair is offering to the public a special Jubilee ticket at a cost of $1.75. This ticket will admit the man, wife and his children up to 12 years of age and his car. The Jubilee ticket is good Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It will be sold up to Monday night, 6 p.m., August 15 and after that the prevailing price will be 50 cents per person and 25 cents for cars. To promote sales of these tickets the Fair board has decided to make these tickets in books of

ten and will give clubs individuals, churches, stores or anyone interested 10 cents per ticket or one dollar per book for all tickets sold. As an added attraction each ticket will be numbered and each ticket sold will entitle the owner to a chance on the door prize to be given away the closing night of the fair. This prize will be a beautiful set of Rogers silverware service for eight. Plans are also being made by the board of directors to rebuild the stage'and to add more seating capicity. The very best of shows have been contracted through the Barnes-Caruthers company. The Midway will be bigger than ever. The W. G. Wade shows will again show here with more rides and shows. Of course The J. C.’s miniature train will be there in a very prominent spot and the boys, as always will give the kiddies the biggest and finest ride out there. Px-ices on the rides to be lower than in the past. Tuesday will be childrens day with all rides at half price. Tuesday night the girls clubs will put on a dress revue. This is something new at our fair and with the dress revue will be a horse show to give the public a full evening of entertainment. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there will be afternoon races and other entertainment and at night the best shows the fair officials could get. Saturday is thrill show day with two shows. The board have contracted with the Lucky Lott thrill show for this performance. This is the show that went over so big at the Indiana State Fair.

After the show Saturday night the many prizes will be given away including the Fair’s door prize which you have to be there to receive. In the exhibitors building there are changes being made. Prizes have been raised in the hog and cattle dept. A barrow show has been added in the hog department open to all farmers F.F.A. members and anyone wishing to compete in this show. Over in the Horticulture building The Red Cross will have a booth and The Jasper County schools will again have a disdifferent equipment used in the schools to teach our children of today. County Supt. Ira L. play with demonstrations of the Huntington has a very capable staff on this project and every effort is being made to acquaint the public with wliat their children have to work with. The Fair Board is trying to show progress and bring the public a grand week of vacation and fun and at the same time make your Fair a helpful.and educational benefit. Mr. and Mrs. Willard Bass and children of Farmington, New Mexico, are visiting his parents and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Bass and Caroline. Mr. Willard Bass is Superintendent of the Methodist Navajo Indiana school at Farmington.