Madison Journal - Louisiana Delta Fair 1935
Date submitted: September 9, 2014

Submitted by: Richard P. Sevier

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Fair Is Pronounced Best Ever Held Here
Exhibits Good and Pageant Pleases All Who See It
Madison Journal October 4, 1935

The Louisiana Delta Fair this year is proceeding with the usually good attendance, both during the 
day and night.

As one enters the gate, to the  right is the large agricultural building with its neatly arranged 
rows of vegetables with blue ribbon awards, tables of perfectly matched ears of corn, stacks of 
sugar cane, cotton, hay, and other plantation crop products. A special novel display is in the middle 
of the building where is seen oats sprouting, green and fresh in a large tray of sand and just above 
on the wall is a perfect product of the oat crop.

In the next building is the Red Cross booth where Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are always in attendance 
to help any visitor. In these 5 booths are to be seen splendid displays by Chicago Mill, showing fine 
examples of veneer in in-lay. Also displays by local business houses.

The school work and Sunday School booths also offer interest-a most amusing display showing a farm yard 
with every animal-effectively made with carrots, beets, onions, sugar cane, egg plants, etc. Hogs, mules, 
cows, chickens, all perfectly made.

The next building, especially interesting to ladies, shows beautiful handwork and preserved foods. 
In this building the Better Home Department of the Tallulah Book Club, the Madison Parish Garden Club 
and the Tensas Garden Club have most attractive booths, one representing a complete wedding party with 
flower arrangement.

Then comes the poultry barns, where a lively interest is shown with a most creditable showing of fowls 
and where a small spotted deer is the center of attraction.

The stock display which was paraded in front of the grandstand on Thursday afternoon is pronounced as 
creditable for the State Fair by those attending.

Across the street from these buildings are the church booths, where the Methodist, Roman, Catholic and 
Episcopal Auxiliary and the Tallulah Book Club are serving delicious home cooked food. Local young men, 
Ward Holt, Meredith Holt and Harry Holt, are donating coffee of their own blend to these booths. The name 
given to this coffee is "Wa Me Ha" and is parched and ground here in Tallulah and packed by these local boys.

The races at 2:30 in the front of the grandstand are creating much interest with only local horses 
eligible for the races.

At night interest centers first around Gayle's' Ice Cream stand, where Mr. Gayle has a stage erected with 
local negro boys dancing, playing and singing. When time for the grandstand performance comes this stops and 
the crowd goes into the grandstand where the very spectacular and elaborate pageant, depicting the history 
of Madison, East Carroll and Tensas parishes, is given entirely by people of this locality.

First enters the handsome queen, Miss Dorothy Fairly, who is wearing a jeweled crown of white satin, robe 
and a sparkling silver train and carrying a scroll, salutes the audience. Following is "Miss Columbia," 
who is Miss Carolyn Cason wearing a gown of flag blue satin and red bodice and carrying the scepter.

"Miss Madison," represented by Miss Gladys Rabb follows with her attendants, Miss Marguerite Boswell and 
Miss Agatha Lanehart; `Miss` Tensas," represented by Miss Carolyn Ratcliff with her attendants, Miss 
Lola Kate Clark and Miss Mildred Harris; "Miss East Carroll," Miss Clair Mitchell and her attendants, 
Miss Adell Nelson and Miss Katherine Kennedy, complete the queen's court. Tiny Leo Adams, daughter of 
Mr. and Mr. Will Adams, is the queen's train bearer.

The forty-eight states of the Union complete the beautiful picture with forty-eight ladies in red, white 
and blue costumes.

The creation ballet enters, dancing for the court in vari-hued costumes with 36 girls taking part.

The stage is deserted except for the queen and her court who are seated to the left. A lone Indian enters on 
his pony which starts the historical story of the parishes.

The tribe of Indians with three chiefs, 12 squaws, 16 braves and small children enter, presenting an 
Indian camp. They leave followed by the planting of the French Flag by LaSalle when Louisiana was claimed 
for France with ten men in costume giving the picture.

Next enter five covered wagons with several men on horses escorting them. They stop, pitch camp and present 
a perfect picture of the pioneer people of our country. In correct costume are 12 women, 16 men and several 
small children. They cook, wash, have the blessing, eat and wind up by dancing a square dance.

The curtain opens again with a minister, Mr. Jack Selden, leading a bridal party with Miss Elizabeth Holt as a 
bride of 1870 and Bill Yeates as the groom. Eleven couples are in attendance. The girls in the picturesque hoop 
skirts and men in the attire of the period complete the scene dancing the old fashion quadrille.

The next period is represented by the Boy Scouts, drum and bugle corps and the Scout troop, entering and presenting 
a military spirit. Tom Barber as leader of the band leads the drill.

The "Masque of Nations," make up the concluding tableau, the drills en mass making a most pleasing picture. 
There are 24 girls as American Jackies in white sailor suits, 12 girls as Belgian and English children, 12 girls 
who give a folk dance as Dutch and French girls, and 12 girls as Irish who in the traditional green also gave their 
native folk dance. A dozen more girls as Chinese and Japanese give their native dance and 40 little U. S. A. girls 
entered last with 12 girl Brownies in the center.

The grand finale with the queen in the center and "Miss Columbia" in the center hack, with the five hundred 
participants, forming a perfect cart wheel presented a sight that would do credit to any performance.

(I just wonder who was left to watch all of this.)RPS 9/2014