HOW TO ORGANIZE A STREET FAIR.
First you must have a guaranteed fund. This is procured as follows: (a) Subscriptions from merchants; (b) sale of booths and privileges; (c) sale of advertising space on the daily souvenir programme.
The cost of a street fair is from $2,500 upward, depending on size of your town, the amount of advertising you do, etc.
STREET FAIR BOOTH.—Hastings.
You will need a large number of committees to properly handle your street fair. One object of having a great many committees is to give every business man in town something to do in connection with the fair, so that those who are inclined to grow lukewarm will, of necessity, be compelled to take continued interest in the forthcoming fair. Furthermore, there are too many details connected with the work of preparing for the fair and conducting it, to be placed on the shoulders of one small committee. Accordingly, there must be separate committees for each department of street fair work. The finance committee must look after raising the money. The amusement committee must see that proper attractions and amusements are provided. The committee on premiums will get up the premium list, appoint judges in the various departments and see that the awarded premiums are paid. The committee on parades and special days will look after the work indicated by its title. You will need also a committee on contests, such as cake walking, baby shows, old violin players, fat men’s race, greased pole climbing, greased pig catching and such other diversions as may be introduced for local talent in addition to the attractions engaged from abroad. Your committee on privileges and booths will be able to render great service to the association by using proper judgment and enterprise. A large revenue can be realized from the sale of booths and spaces for merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels, side shows, etc. Your committee on railroads will have to look after the important work of securing special reduced rates from all points in territory tributary to your city during the continuance of the fair. By appointing influential men on this committee and having them go direct to the main offices of the railroad company you will be able to secure liberal concessions in the way of reduced excursion rates that will greatly swell your attendance during the week. Your committee on advertising will have plenty of work to do. It is a good plan to appoint the local newspaper men on this committee. They will keep booming the street fair from the time that the date is fixed upon, and will see that the field is thoroughly and constantly covered, so far as the advertising is concerned. You will also need an executive committee. This committee may include all the members of the above committees, these being only sub-committees of the executive committee, or it may be limited, as you think best. In some cities a regular street fair company is incorporated under the laws of the state, with a president, board of directors, etc. This is a very good plan. It gives an air of permanence to the organization and makes all the transactions of the association more business-like in character.
AMUSEMENTS.
Good attractions must be secured for the free entertainments. Do not make the mistake of hiring cheap performers, as they will disgust your people rather than entertain them. There are now a number of expert conductors, or general managers of street fairs, who hire their services to committees and advise the townsmen in all details. These men, having had ample experience, are very useful to committees and often insure the success of the fair. When there is no resident of your town available who has a genius for carrying out such enterprises, the employment of an expert director is advised. In this case it is better to secure your man in the beginning, as he can then assist in organizing the entire festival.
PROMINENT DETAILS.
R. J. McDonald, who is an authority on street fairs, gives the following excellent advice as to details: