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PRES. SOMERVILLE’S TRIBUTE

TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCCESS 1931 COUNTY FAIR

[The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 6 October 1931]

The Tribune has received for publication the following communication from Charles R. Somerville, president of the Welland County Agricultural Society.

“The directors of the Welland County Agricultural Society, abetted by the weatherman, gave Welland city and county last week one of the best fairs in the fourscore years of the institution and I should like to draw attention to some of those responsible for the unqualified success of the 1931 show.

W.E. HARDISON- Mr. Hardison had charge of the race program and it may be doubted if the society ever had a better card than was presented on Wednesday and Thursday. Entries, competition and speed, these were the features.

C.W. ANDERSON- Mr. Anderson supervised the work of getting the track in readiness. The horses found excellent going with the surprising results that the track record of 2.09 ¾, established ten years ago by Willis Woodland, was five times broken.

ARCHIE VANDERBURG- The largest cattle show was due to him. So great was the entry list that the buildings proved far too inadequate.

GEORGE LAHEY- He had charge of the manufacturers’ hall and succeeded in getting a tenant for every foot of space.

J.G. MORNINGSTAR- The fair had a surprisingly excellent horse show, many entries including a number of horses that could take their place in any horse ring. Mr. Morningstar had charge of this department and his work proved a great success.

R.R. FLEMING- The grandstand program was entirely a new departure devised by Mr. Fleming. Mr. Fleming put three months’ labor in the old-time program and succeeded in delighting the thousands in his audiences.

CHIEF G.T. CROWE- J. Lockie Wilson, Superintendent of Fairs, said the street parade was the finest feature he had ever seen as a fair opener. It was, too, one of the best parades Welland had ever witnessed. The man who organized the parade was Chief Crowe.

One must not forget, of course, the faithful members of these committees and the other chairmen and the various committees who so willingly supported the executive officials, and whose combined services made the 1931 Fair such an outstanding success.”

C.W. SOMERVILLE, President

Welland County Agricultural Society

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