Los Banos Rotary Club History
Spina, Cox, Silva Talk Spring Fair

It was Spring Fair time at the Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday noon as the Spring Fair manager, Sam Spina, High School agriculture instructor Joe Cox and F.F.A. president James Silva learned up to present a complete resume of Spring Fair activities. The program was presented by Rotarian Kenneth Reid, local Bank of America manager. A comparatively new corner to Los Banos, Red emphasized in his opening remarks that older residents of the community too frequently fail to realize and appreciate the full importance to the community of the Spring Fair and its kindred activities, and are sometimes prone to minimize its scope and benefits.

Fair Manager Sam Spina reviewed the full five-day program, both as seen from the livestock judging ring, the continuing series of entertainment features, and highlights of the historical May Day Parades, dances, dinners, etc. that are so much a part of Spring Fair Week.

He also emphasized that the entire physical properties of the Spring Fair have been made possible wholly without local taxation, that the funds come from a state tax on pari-mutuel horse race betting, and that the several buildings and entire fairgrounds facilities are designed for use by the entire community throughout the year. Spina also called attention to the financial necessity of making an admission charge at the gate, for the dances, rodeo and other special features. Such funds are necessary to pay for the actual presentation of the Fair and of the May Day festivities. However, Spina declared, the Fair board of directors hold down admission prices to the lowest possible level and have eliminated the gate charge the opening day until 5 p.m.

Spina praised the local support that is given the Fair and particularly the work that is being put into the flower show by local ladies under the Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs. Charles Alden for her efforts on behalf of the art show. Also coming in for praise is the large number of praise is the large number of commercial exhibitors who rent space, and the merchants and individuals who support the livestock show with contributions of trophies and awards.
He also complimented the local townspeople for their lavish support of the annual Livestock Auction which concludes the showing, stating that the liberal prices paid for the fat stock is one of the primary incentives of the young FFA and 4-H boys who prepare their animals for the showing.

Spina predicted that the Kiddies Parade and big May Day Parade will again score successes this year, with lots of advance interest and wide participation, and that the whole Fair program will be inductive to a record breaking attendance.

James Silva, president of the Los Banos Future Farmers, briefly outlined past participation by the local FFA club, and said that this year the Los Banos FFA will show a total of 210 animals. Last year a total of 78 animals were exhibited by the Los Banos FFA.

Credit for the increased interest and participation, he said, goes largely to the FFA instructor, Joe Cox, and the help and cooperation he has given his boys during the year.

Cox, in return, complimented the boys in his agriculture department for their enthusiasm and cooperation, and predicted they will give a good account of themselves in the livestock competition this year. Cox reviewed the gradual development of the Livestock Show from the original showing of a few head of stock in a fenced off section of the high school grounds in 1945, and gradual development of the facilities and participation until today it is recognized as possibly the very best junior division dairy show in the state. In three classes, he said, the Spring Fair has more placings and offers keener competition than does the California State Fair.

Cox likewise praised the merchants and townspeople for their support of the show, and particularly the parents of his FFA boys for their wholehearted cooperation and help. "There is nothing that cannot be done through cooperation," he said, "and surely we do have wholehearted cooperation in this community."

April 25, 1958

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