The Tryon Chamber of Commerce in executive session went on record as being heartily in accord with the objects of the Tri-Township Fair Association and pledged its support in making the 1924 Fair at Mimosa a red-letter day in Polk County history.
President B.L. Ballenger called the meeting to order promptly at 8 o’clock Thursday evening and explained the purpose of the special meeting to assembled members.
Chas. J. Lynch, President of the Tri-Township Fair Association, in a short and snappy address stated that in his opinion the success or failure of the fair depended largely upon the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Tryon and its members individually and collectively. Stressing the importance of the project to merchants, bankers, farmers and other residents, Mr. Lynch explained that he wanted to make the fair something really worth while and he felt sure that the Association could do it with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and Tryon business interests.
Mr. Sams, County Agent, told of the work he and Mrs. Padgett Smith, Home Demonstration Agent had already done throughout the county and expressed himself as believing that the majority of Polk County people were heartily interested in the Fair and wanted to see it a success. Mr. Sams stated that in spite of the continued dry weather he could assemble a splendid agricultural exhibit, including corn potatoes, yams and other products of the section. “From Tryon to the foot of the mountains and for three miles out, no section in North Carolina has greater agricultural possibilities,” said Mr. Sams. “They may joke about our ‘Thermal Belt,’ but such a belt exists and the farmers of the section know it from actual experience.”
Mayor W.S. Green of Tryon said Polk County folks could depend on Tryon for solid support in putting over the fair. “If they want us to, we’ll daddy the whole thing,” said Mr. Green with a smile.
Road Commissioner Stearns, who freely tendered the use of Mimosa Casino for the housing of exhibits, said he believed the Fair would be of great interest to everybody in the county. Calling attention to the presence of Judge J.J. Gentry in the audience, he expressed himself as believing that Tryon and other towns in the county could profit by the Judge’s example in building rest stations for the use of tourists. Introducing Judge Gentry, Mr. Stearns requested that the South Carolina visitor tell the audience what he was doing on Bird Mountain.
Judge Gentry said that nothing would help the county more than close cooperation between the people of the cities and those of the farms and that in his opinion fairs had done as much as any other one thing to build up a cooperative spirit. When asked to exhibit at Mimosa he explained that his holdings in part lay in South Carolina, where he lives, “but,” said the Judge, “If you wish it, I’ll put on a Bird Mountain exhibit.”
Mrs. Padgett Smith recommended that the premium list be opened to all exhibitors whether residents of the three townships or not, and this was heartily agreed upon, thus allowing Green’s creek, Cooper’s Gap, Mill Springs and other townships to enter their picked products in competition to the three townships represented.
Prof. Isabell of Green’s Creek stated that his township would take up the challenge and have representation. “We needed $500 to have our schools placed on the accreditation list. When I started out to raise it folks laughed and said it couldn’t be done. I had it oversubscribed in jig-time. That’s the way Green’s Creek does things.”
Mr. White, County Commissioner from Green’s Creek, expressed approval of the plan and said that the Association could count upon his personal support to the extent of his ability.
President Ballenger of the Chamber of Commerce stated that the Chamber would be pleased to work hand in glove with the Fair Association and appointed a committee of 10 to look after Tryon’s interests. Those appointed were Mesdames W.C. Ward, N.b. Jackson, W.Y. Wilkins, P.G. Morris, C.W. Morgan, W.W. Graham and Messrs. C.M. Howse, W.M. Hester, Billy Gray, and George C. Aid. Mrs. E.G. Holden was appointed as a special committee of one to arrange a historical antique display.
George C. Aid and Mr. Ellis agreed to arrange an art exhibit.
Mr. F.P. Bacon of the Southern Mercerizing Company, stated that he would be pleased to join other manufacturers and merchants in arranging suitable displays and recommended that the Chamber of Commerce request the closing of city and county schools on Oct. 10th and arrange to have the school buses available for transportation purposes. Mr. Bacon said that he would close his plant on that day, and suggested that all merchants and manufacturers in the section do the same thing.
President Lynch of the Fair association made a motion that the Chamber of Commerce recommend the payment of premium list from County Funds and his motion was carried by unanimous consent.
Miss Mae Irene Flentye suggested that especial attention be paid to the poultry exhibit, which she said could be made as good as in any county in the state, and recommended that the committee lay off a plan of building and assign proper space for various exhibits.
The whole audience seemed very much impressed with the possibilities of putting on a really worth while exhibition and with the right kind of cooperation from Columbus and Saluda townships and the help of the other communities, the Tri-Township Fair will assume the magnitude and importance of a real agricultural and industrial exhibition such as other Tar Heel counties pride themselves upon.
From the front page of the Polk Count News, Tryon, N.C., Sept. 11, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn94058241/1924-09-11/ed-1/seq-1/#words=September+11%2C+1924
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