The Gratz Fair of 1911 was supposed to feature the completion of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad to the fairgrounds so that exhibits could be hauled there by rail and fair-goers could to be transported to near the fair entrance. That didn’t happen, so alternate plans had to be made.
The Harrisburg Telegraph of 12 October 1911 included an article on preparations for the fair:
GRATZ FAIR WILL OPEN NEXT WEEK
Plans For Annual Exhibition Are Rapidly Nearing Completion
GOOD HORSE RACES
President Harry Smith and Other Members Are Hard at Work
Harry Smith
Special to the Telegraph
Gratz, Pennsylvania, 12 October [1911] — Plans for the Gratz Fair next week are rapidly rounding into shape and from the number of persons who have applied to the association for entry blanks, information, etc., the fair will be the best ever held there. Although the Midland Pennsylvania railroad will not be competed to this point in time for the opening of the fair, the various exhibits will be hauled in wagons from the different sections of the valley. Accommodations are also being made to carry people from one place to another during the week. One of the features of the week will be the racing. The track has been placed in good condition and the track records will likely be broken because almost all the horses thus far entered are much faster than the horses entered last year.
Harry Smith, president of the local fair association, and the members of the committees are all working hard for the success of the fair this year. Each year finds the exhibition larger and this year will eclipse any before held.
Among the many exhibits in the agricultural building is a display from the Lykens Valley Development Farm, where farmers, during the past year, have been taught intensive farming. The exhibit is in charge of Dr. W. T, Phillipy, who oversees the work at the farm. Dr. Phillipy is connected with the State Department of Agriculture and from the appearance of the display he has accomplished some good work in the valley. The exhibit includes wheat, rye, broom corn, alfalfa, peppers, corn, fruits and vegetables. U. H. Daniels, who lives near Gratz, is superintendent of this building and through his efforts many farmers have brought an abundance of exhibits.
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News clippings/article from Newspapers.com.
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