We recently were shown a program from 1918 that highlighted the farmers in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. With permission of the Warren County Historian, we reproduce it here with some added commentary.
There isn’t any indication of where the Farmers’ Day event was held, but the cover indicates that it is a tri-county endeavor with support from the Farm Bureaus in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties. The date is particularly important to note, just 3 months before Germany surrendered and the end of World War I. Patriotism is probably at a peak – which is evident later in this program.
The program for the day is highlighted below. The morning offers demonstrations for both the farmer and his wife. During a picnic lunch there is a band concert. Back in the days of these types events, county fairs, etc., although there was usually food available for purchase, it wasn’t unusual for families to pack a lunch for the meals away from home.
The afternoon was taken up by talks on various topics and an opportunity for the Farm Bureau to do some advertising. Interesting to note is this event was taking place a week before the County Fair – which county, we don’t know.
Included in the day’s events is a “Community Sing” with words provided on the third page. It is an interesting line-up of songs. Aside from the well-known songs, be sure to look at the lyrics of the others.
Page 4 of the program could not be copied, but is has the following information on it:
It has been possible to place this Program in your
hands through the courtesy of
The Empire Automobile Company
of Glens Falls, N. Y.
Who are the distributers of the Fordson Tractor
demonstrated here today.
Keep it as a Souvenir of the occasion
Herald Print, Hudson Falls, N. Y.