The Daily Sentinel

New Fair Board Starts The Work
Many Things That Will Add to the Success and Fame of the Mesa County Fair Planned by the Directors—To Confer With Horsemen and Will Inaugurate Vigorous and Extensive Advertising Campaign

The meeting of the directors of the Mesa County Fair Association Saturday afternoon was well attended, ten of the newly elected directors being present to outline the year's work and dispose of the several important matters up for discussion. The interest taken in the meeting plainly shows that the stockholders elected an excellent board of directors who will lend their best efforts in making the fair of 1908 the best in the history of the county.

It is the intention of the board to leave nothing undone to make this the greatest year, and if their plans mature the claim will be made good.

The directors present were W. R. Haines, W. S. Phillips, John O'Boyle, M. H. Loenler, H. T. DeLong, Frank I. Lee, A. C. Probert of Molina, J. A. Laurent of Whitewater, John D. Reeder of Palisade and George J. D. Williams of DeBeque.

At the next meeting of the board of directors the horsemen who are interested in the races will be invited to appear before the board and offer suggestions as to the arrangement of the speed program for the fair. This move is made for the purpose of ascertaining what the horsemen want in the way of races for the local horses, and it is thought that the decision of the board will meet with favor among the owners of racing stock.

While not very many improvements are needed at the grounds, the roofs of the grand stand and stables are in bad condition, as they have not been painted since they were put on four years ago. It was decided to purchase the material and have the superintendent of the grounds do the work, as the ground is frozen and work on the track will be impossible for some time. It was decided to improve the interior of the exhibition building also by some preparation, either cold water paint or kalsomine. This will make the building much lighter and will present an attractive appearance for the next fair.

It is the intention of the management to get the premium list out several months earlier this year and also to increase the number to 5,000. The committee appointed to prepare the list and submit it to the board at its next meeting will go over the book thoroughly and try to improve it in many ways. An open letter was ordered published in the papers of the county that suggestions might be offered by persons who have ideas on the different lines of the work.

The most important matter up for discussion was the unlimited good the Fair did the county in an advertising way. To this end it was thought that many people could be brought to the valley during Fair week by means of special trains from Denver and other eastern Colorado points. As the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows meets in Denver during the week of the Fair in September, an excursion will be arranged and an effort to secure the old peach day rate, so that the thousands of visitors can be brought to this county and taken to the Fair grounds and view the splendid exhibits. The board decided to immediately take up the work and co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce and the city council, and work with Glenwood Springs in getting the work mapped out and the rates granted by the railroads. The Fair association will also assist in getting a special train from Denver during the week of the National Democratic convention. It is believed that it will be the means of getting many new residents if these trains can be run at the time suggested.

After discussing the plan of a stock campaign to clear the indebtedness, the board adjourned to meet next month, or as soon as the premium list committee can have its report ready.