It’s October, which means that it’s Louisiana State Fair season. The fair, which began in 1906, will be coming to the Shreveport-Bossier area October 30th, and will last until the 16th of November. Throughout its lifespan, it has had numerous attractions, from rides, to events, and more. Take a ride through the past, with images and the following article. What follows is a showcase of the attractions in 1936, some eighty-nine years ago, as seen in the September 24, 1936 edition of The Bossier Banner.
1936 STATE FAIR ATTRACTIONS
The Bossier Banner described the attractions of the 1936 State Fair in its September 24, 1936 issue. “Bossier Parish readers will be interested to learn that a larger and greater State Fair will be presented to all fair visitors, when they visit Shreveport during the exposition, to be held from October 24th through November 2d.”
“Fair officials report, in late dispatches to this paper, that preparations have been underway for several months, in an effort to provide fair visitors with the most splendid educational and amusement program ever witnessed by fair goers in this section. All buildings are being thoroughly renovated so that the fair plant will be spic and span when the gates swing open on the 24th.”
“The agricultural building, always a mecca for Bossierites visiting the fair, will be one of the best decorated on the exposition grounds. New indirect lighting systems, being installed in most of the display booths, will enhance the beauty of the exhibits, and attract thousands of visitors to the agricultural show.”
“With poultry show experts hailing the building as an ideal layout for such an event, it is expected that renewed interest will be displayed in this fair department. Entries are already pouring in and fair officials are confident that the 1936 poultry show will be the best ever. This news will be well received by poultry breeders throughout Bossier Parish, some of whom will also be State Fair exhibitors, it is learned.”
“Judging from early entries, the livestock shows will be especially good this year. Competition in dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and swine should be keen this fall, fair officials say. With the cattle tick eradicated in Bossier and other nearby parishes, it is believed by the fair management that the livestock exhibits, especially the cattle divisions, will do much to kindle interest in the possibilities for developing the livestock industry of this section of the state.”
“A record-breaking Broadway musical review, to be staged nightly, in front of the grandstand, tops a sensation list of amusement features booked for the State Fair says secretary-manager W. R. Hirsch. The title of the extravaganza is ‘Rise and Cheer, America.’ The show’s cast includes 125 chorus girls and a beavy [sic] of stage and screen stars. A fireworks display, always a much looked-for feature of the nightly grandstand shows, will top off the program each night of the fair.”
“Bossier Parish folk who thrill to the hum of racing automobiles will look forward to the two Sunday racing programs, booked for the 1936 exposition. It will be of interest to these enthusiasts to know that thrills and chills aplenty are in store for them, as most of America’s leading daredevils of the speedways have signified their intentions of entering the races.”
“Followers of the turf and amateurs who thrill at the sight of racing thoroughbred horses, and those who like to wager a mite on the races will have their innings each week-day of the fair, for an eight-day racing meet has been booked.”
“Football will again furnish amusement for followers of the pigskin sport. Opening day, October 24th, will see the annual clash of Louisiana State University and Arkansas State University. Saturday, October 31st, Centenary College’s Gentlemen will meet the Ole Miss eleven.”
“A new fair feature, a state-wide beauty contest, with about 150 towns and cities sending contestants, will take place in the Coliseum during three days, October 27th, 28th and 29th. Miss Louisiana, the title of the beauty pageant winner, will be given a trip to Atlantic City, N. J., to compete for the title of Miss America.”
“Other amusement features, to be of more than passing interest at the 1936 fair, will include a horse show, a basketball tournament, a dog show, a state junior band concert, a Boy Scout Jamboree, Four-H boys and girls conventions, Future Farmers’ get together and many others, which will be elaborated upon in later stories.”
Get ready for our Haunted Bossier Program, presented by Bossier Parish Libraries Historian Pam Carlisle! Hear the tales of haunted houses, ghosts, and more as we dive into the frightening folklore of Bossier Parish. Join us October 28, 10:00 A.M., at the Bossier Central Library.
If you have any photos or other information relating to the history of Bossier City or Bossier Parish, the History Center may be interested in adding the materials to its research collection by donation or by scanning them and returning the originals. Call or visit us to learn more. We are open M-Th 9-8, Fri 9-6, and Sat 9-5. Our phone number is (318) 746-7717 and our email is history-center@bossierlibrary.org. We can also be found online at https://www.facebook.com/BPLHistoryCenter/ and http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/
Images:
- Ferris Wheel at Louisiana State Fair. C.1910s. - (BPL History Center - 1997.054.064)
- State Fair Midway showing signs for sideshows. C.1910s. - (BPL History Center - 1997.054.025)
- Photograph of the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in the 1920s-1930s, of a race car on the fairgrounds race track. - (BPL History Center - 2002.027.007)
- Color photo of the Shady Ladies Club helping with crafts (quilting) at the Louisiana State Fair 1988. - (BPL History Center - 2012.038.057A)
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