Tomorrow night at 6 o’clock, a meeting will e held by the chairman of the sub-committee of the Harvest Festival to be held in the chamber of commerce. The call for the meeting has been issued by Dr., L.S. Booker, general chairman. The purpose of the meeting is to get the chairmen together to begin formulating plans for staging the festival, which will be some time in October. This will e the first real step towards the staging of the fair. The general chairman has a number of suggestions to offer to them regarding the festival and the sub-chairmen will be given a better knowledge of their respective duties.
The Chamber of Commerce has for several months been contemplating the staging of a Harvest Festival, it being included in the program of work that was mapped out for the organization just prior to the staging of the membership drive some time ago, until a short time ago when a number of conferences were held with Burk Hobgood, secretary of the chamber of commerce, regarding the idea. Those who took part in the conference were enthusiastic over the idea and were of the opinion that it would be of great benefit to Durham. An effort was made to perfect the organization a week or two ago when a man of the city was approached regarding the acceptance of the general chairmanship for the festival. He was unable to accept. Dr. Booker was asked to accept the office and consented to do so. Much gratification was expressed by those interested in the festival over the selection of Dr. Booker.
The festival will be planned on a very elaborate and extensive scale, surpassing the hopes and plans of those who sponsored the movement. Efforts will be made to make the fair so attractive that people from territory contiguous to Durham will attend. Special attention will be given to the farmers and their families, and everything will be done for their comfort and entertainment possible. The townsfolks will also be looked after.
Many things are being planned for the entertainment of those who attend. All plans, of course, are tentative and subject to change at a later date. Under the present plan the festival will be officially opened by a street parade in which all organizations of the city, including the educational institutions, will be asked to participate.
One of the most important features of the festival, now being considered, is the home coming meeting. These invitations will be sent out by Dr. J.M. Manning, mayor of Durham. Efforts will be made to get these people here during the week that the fair will be in progress. A banquet is being considered of which the former Durhamites will be guests of honor.
Exhibits will be in charge of the committee headed by T.F. Southgate. It is planned to feature this part of the festival with exhibits of farm products, poultry, fruits, articles of local manufacture, specimens of needle work and canned fruits and vegetables made by the housewives. Prices will probably be awarded to the winner of each individual class. The prizes will be in charge of William G. Frasier.
Entertainment will be one of the main features. This phase of the fair will be headed by C.H. Norton. It is planned to stage a Harvest Festival ball, featuring the old time barn dance. Many free attractions are also being considered, including daily aeroplane flights by some well-known aviator, fireworks and general stunts. This part of the fair will be one of the most important of all, it is thought, and much time, effort and money will be expended towards making it well worth the time of the public.
The parade and floats will e in charge of Captain Marion B. Fowler. This part of the fair will also be elaborate. Efforts will be made to have the governor attend and head the parade, with the city and county officials, police and fire departments, Durham Machine Gun company, American Legion, city and county schools, Trinity College, other private schools, floats by merchants and manufacturers and all civic organizations of the city all having a place in the parade.
A free barbecue for the farmers and their families attending the festival is also being planned. This would, it is thought, do much towards cementing the ties existing before the farmer and the city in a stronger manner.
Luther B. Markham, chairman of the sales committee, will make plans for sales to be conducted each day of the festival. The merchants will be asked to co-operate by giving special values to the buying public. This will cause many people from other sections in close proximity of Durham to come to the city during the week. This would act to the advantage of the merchants as well as the city and the purchasers.
O.H. Standard, county agent, will have charge of the registration of the farmers and their families. All of them attending the festival will be registered for the purpose of extending to them courtesies and entertainment.
All of the organizations and the city as a whole will be asked to lend their co-operation to the fullest extent towards making the festival a success and an attainment for which they would justly be proud.
From The Durham Morning Herald, July 16, 1922
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