Half-hour Special from the 1979 Sonoma County Fair

way. Theo. Sonoma County Public Information Office presents Sonoma County in the seventies from the fair with your host, Richard McGlinchy. Two days of the Sonoma County film We're going to be bringing you this program from the new Chaiya Japanese Tea Room, and we're gonna learn a

little bit more about that tea room and little well. First, I'm going to pop down here on. My guests are going to be joining me in just a moment or two. I thought I might momentarily mentioned a couple of other things that are going to take

place during the remaining two days of the fair. One of the major events, I guess, is the appearance of Literally Van Dyke, very popular country and Western singer, and he will be over in the Redwood Empire Theatre. He'll be over there on Friday and on Saturday.

Uh, of course, your horse racing goes on with some of our major stakes. Still to come are Friday and Saturday winding up with the Joseph Grace the Handicapped. Saturday. The fairgrounds, as you all know, opens about 10 a.m. in the buildings close at 10 PM The

admission is $2 for adults and 50 cents for kids 13 to 16 and kids under 12 admitted free. Now we're going to be talking Teoh several guests and the 1st 1 who is just about to approach from my right as a gentleman named Kermit Henderson. Come

on in. Out of the shadows, Kermit and Kermit Henderson is our para mutual manager for Sonoma County Fair. And that brings to mind a question immediately coming. And that is, are you not only our pair of mutual manager, but do you serve in this capacity elsewhere?

Yes. I'm the pyramids manager at Pacific and Tan Friend Racing Associations, which has held at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows. And also it pleasant at Alameda Con effect. You, this is what would you say old hat to you? Well, somewhat. Yes. After 35 years, I

would say it is, old chap, Can you believe this guy has been doing this for 35 years? He looks too young for that. Listen, there's two or three things I want to ask you. One of them is this pair of Mutual Manager. All right, we know.

Did you go to the windows in your bet? And if you're very lucky. Once in a great while, you go to another one in your cash in. But overall, what is the job of a pair of mutual manager para mutual managers hired to direct and operate

the para mutual functions in its entirety? Including the total is ater company. Catch your sellers the back lines, which are very important to us. The money rooms, etcetera. We try to balance everything at the end of a day, and we're actually acting as agents for the

state of California. Well, you say that, uh, your money room described it the mining room dysfunction. As you all know, you go to the window, you cash a ticket or you go to the wind when you buy a ticket. But somebody has to count that and

balance that person out. Because the electronic impulses that we have of the American Totalization Company they sell so many tickets, they must have so much money. Obviously, some of them are going to be over a short, but somebody has to balance it. And that is the

function that I have And what I save my money. All right now you have quite a number of persons I know the I'm not sure of the correct title of the union with Prime Minister union people who handle the windows out there for you. But we

have, ah, approximately how many persons who sale or cash tickets, usually during the fair? Well, at this particular racetrack right now, I'm operating very effectively with 62 sellers and 39 to 40 cashiers. Obviously, on Saturday, I supplemented with additional help, which is almost doubled of what

it was as the week days. So I would say at this particular racetrack all higher about 180 people on Saturday. Well, all right now, uh, one other or to other questions here. One is our How I should say is all this accomplished, Kermit? Is it done

manually, or is it done in a computer fashion? Well, as you all know, the computer age is here, and we are constantly trying to upgrade ourselves here. Fortunately, this year, we went into duplex system at this at all the county fairs, which is a mandate issued

by the California Horse Racing Board and has proved very effective. So when we say we're computerized, were computerized to the extent that everything is is done by the computers. We even do the cashier accounting by computerized. That's quite a lot of difference from what we used

to dio. I know. I just have people used to course. I know you still work very hard, but, I mean, I used to watch the people up there, and they really looked like beavers going to try to count these things and come up with proper figures.

All right, um, we see these little television screens down there where they showed the replay of the races, but they're also showing figures on there a great deal. What's that? Well, again, this is another innovation that we're trying to give the possible payoffs of all the

exotic way Dream. So these people who can go up in wager on an exotic ticket and an exact er they can also see what they're going to get These possible payoffs were another mandate that has upgraded ourselves. So that were not fully automated completely. But we're

pretty close to it now. Sure, getting there. All right, Kermit, I know this is off base. Maybe for your ask you this, but we've been doing seemingly quite well as far as the ways. Any concern. What do you predict? We might dio. How do you How

do you think we might fare at the end of this meeting? Our average will be on 950,000 will exceed 12% increase at this fair here. If you wanna enjoy racing, come to Sonoma County. Wow, You heard it. Ladies and gentlemen, that's a para mutual manager, Kerman

Henderson. And he says that are racing. Ah, wagering will be up approximately 12%. And that's really healthy growth. All right, Kermit, we thank you very much for taking a moment. Just sit outside on just a minute. Don't rush off right away. Ah, Legend. German this, gentlemen,

on my right. My first guest has been Kermit Henderson. He's our paramedical manager. Now we're going to disappear through the magic of TV and we'll be back in just a moment. We'll be talking to another fellow. His name is Doug Marston, and he's going to tell

us about the entertainment we've had and what we still have to come would be back in a minute. See, I told you we'd be back when we come back with another gas just like I said and the just we came back with us when I said

we would come back with his name is Doug Morrison. And after all, I got to roll that nonsense. You were visited with us a couple of weeks ago and you talked about the entertainment that was set up for the 1979 Sonoma County fair. Now tell us,

as of today, uh, Thursday there, second from the end day of the fair. How's it Gon house the entertainment been who's been here and what's to come? Well rich. It's been very successful. I would say this is one of the most successful years that we've had

with our entertainment here at the fair because we, as I had indicated before, we had added one more stage to the two we already have. So we had the Redwood Theater stage, the Mexican village stage, and then we have the Hobbit house stage, which is near

us right here by the Japanese Gardens, and we've had good crowds. People have enjoyed the wealthy people they enjoyed Judy Lynn, who just closed. They like the strolling musicians. Today we have a clown Scobie, the clown. Yesterday today, Tomorrow and Saturday Magician who is doing shows

on the Hobbit House Stage Dixieland Band on this, uh, side of the fairgrounds by the racetrack. Super Mexican Village Entertainment all day Winslow Troop. The big old animals. You know, I'm kind of bothered because that skunk Laxmi Thea today little kid said, Mama, I really like

that black dog and she said, That's not a black dog. That's a skull. It's been educated, right? He learned he learned something that the figure Doug, let's say briefly, who was here the first just briefly. Thus recount who was here the 1st 3 days and x

three and then Sunday. And this week and the 1st 3 days we had Clay Heart and Sally Flynn, who were former Welk stars along with Lou JACQUl it, uh, cartoonist who was very fine. And then we had Joe Feeney from The Lawrence Welk Show for two

days on Farmers Day. We had an economy who was a smash. Four girl worked from about 11 o'clock until 10 o'clock that night. Way had her all over. She did for more than four shows and appearances, and then for the last three days, we've had Judy

Lynn. And of course, today we have Eddie Rabbit show at the Chris Beck Arena with the special guest star Leroy Van Dyke. And Leroy, you know, is going to be here for three days in this afternoon. Uh, he will have, I guess by the time this

is seen, will have conducted part of the junior livestock auction. But all the folks who want to come out on on Friday they will be able to see Lee Roy after junior livestock auction at one oclock on Friday. And he is a licensed auctioneer. And, of

course, he's famous for the auctioneer song he sold, You know, several 1,000,000 records of that. He will conduct his license in Tennessee to conduct auctions. He's quite a guy. There's want to mention that, too, from the book here for tomorrow at 9 a.m. The junior livestock

auction for sheep at 10 a.m. Tomorrow for a dairy cattle and and, uh, for a dairy cattle showmanship tomorrow afternoon. All right. Um, Doug, you say that we've had good entertainers thus far, we have been very pleased with the crowds we've got. We also had a

couple of paid programs last week we had beaten Sheila Escovedo. And then tonight it's Eddie Rabbit. I'm sorry that our program is going on a date tonight. Otherwise we could told people Come on out. But Mike Mrs Show. But now Yes, right. The group from Brazil

Corporal Santo were really an outstanding group. I'd like Teoh possibly get them back another year for another show on this time not paid so that all of the fairgoers could see the kind of thing that they do. They brought native instruments that were brought over by

the slaves way What? We think we were the only ones that ever had slaves. Will Brazil had slaves to? And they do all of the dances. You know where the Boston of all these dances came from? These Brazilian dances and they were a super troop Danced.

Well, good music. PTC Laska veto were fine. Unfortunately, that was the hottest day of the year and the attendance wasn't too good, you know, I think it was 105 on the ground was really too much. I know we were out working in the winner's circle that

day, and the heat was really you could just see the heat waves across the infield of the golf course. Alright, Doug, I'm going. Teoh Rush. You often rush somebody else in here for this kind of wrap up show of this 1979 Soma County Fair. But I

want to be one of the person to contribute, to congratulate you for the hard work put in before this. Getting these people here your shows, really and truly I've seen them all. Your shows have been very, very successful. I think they've been splendid. And I'm sure

Eddie Rabbit tonight in Leroy Van Dyke the next two days you're gonna be great too. Thanks for coming over. He's waiting with everybody would be a good a good show. They come over tomorrow on Friday and Saturday, Right? You bet you around the world. All right,

we're going, Teoh do that disappearing. Act once again, We're going to come back for just a moment. We're going to talk to the two of the persons who are instrumental in getting the Japanese garden here and tell us just a little bit about that for a

couple of minutes, and then we're going to be talking to our county fair general manager big fella and he's going to tell us about 1979 Fair unfolded What's happened and what he expects the next couple of days and perhaps what we're looking for any future exact

in just a moment. Ah ha, Presto! Like magic. Here we are, back against me. And you see all the colorful people exiting on my left is George Hatamoto. And George is one of the prime movers in establishment of the

setting for our program today, which is the Japanese Tea Room, China. And I want to make sure that that's a correct destination when I get to Georgia. But George just was. I know for many years of Episcopal Tea Room, and this year it has become the

Japanese Tea Room. People have done a splendid job. I've looked around before. I'm looking again right now in decorating the place. It looks great. Tell us a little bit about what is what is China. And if if I'm saying it right and secondarily, I want you

to introduce the lady on your left, and then I want you to tell us a little bit about this dick. Uh, Sharia is ah, a roadside inn where travelers can stop by and have a bite to eat and rest in Japan. Uh, referred to sometimes as

a tea room. Um, and I'd like to introduce Mrs Clarin Sonata Dick. She is, uh, into classical dancing. Ah, and she acts as our PR lady when she's here during the fair. Your hostess here? Yes, yes, yes. All our labor is help. Here is, uh, uh,

donated. Everybody just volunteers. And, uh, we have about three generations working side by side in the back. Which way? Think is unique. Great. Um, what have you found so far, have you found is pretty interesting. Yes, I have. I have listened to people and listen to

their complaints and their compliments, and we have been very pleased with the compliments that we have been receiving. I think that you're probably going Teoh here a lot more of them too, because many persons I know I've already come over and they've taken their snack or

they've had the luncheon on the beverage and they just find this very fascinating. I think it will be very successful. George, are you Are you folks going to be with us again next year? Yes, We will be back here and we're very pleased with the reception.

And, uh, we're learning everything every day. OK, George Hatamoto. And were you Mrs Clearing Sonata Clarinet Sonata. Alright, He's alright, guest. For the moment, we're going to disappear again in a moment and then we'll be back. We'll be talking to the persons on my left right

now are two of the instrumental forces in the operation of Chai are the new Japanese tea room. And that's where today's program is coming to you now. We'll be back in one minute. And now for my final guest to ah is just now arriving in

his favorite mode of transportation. The gentleman appearing there now is signature novella, and he's the general manager of the Sonoma County Fair. We talked Big Fella a program a couple of weeks ago, and we talked about the 1979 fair before the fair began. And now here

he is. High eggs, Just fine Way just described you arriving on your favorite mode of transportation. That's a familiar sight around these fairground. It's easiest one. Do you get to the crowd with it, and it's beats walking in the sense you get around a lot faster.

Okay, uh, we've got him here. Egg Bella. So I think it's time we talked about a few things that have to do with this man. You know, Harry Truman used to have a sign on his desk that said, The buck stops here with Sonoma County Fair

on Eggs desk. There's another. There is no sign, but the sign should be there. It should say the buck stops there because each year Vella is the general manager of Sonoma County fairs, charged with responsibility of putting together all the parts and coming out with both

financially and aesthetically successful event, which pleases the public and which makes enough money to continue the operation of the facility and to continue to upgrade it. Updated. Since we do not get any money from county property taxes an egg, I think that you've done a splendid

job. If I recall correctly, this is your fourth fair, and each one has been progressively more successful. Yes, that's that's true. It has been. It seems, to have fallen into that pattern. From what I see on this particular day, which is the 10th day of the

racing and 11th day of the fair is that it may be a little tough to beat next year, but we'll worry about next year when it comes along. The director racing Harry hatches already in a sweat in a stew. And, of course, he gets there rather

easily. Ah has about What are we going to do for next year? Well, I just say, Well, let next year take care of itself in the sense that will just get prepared and let people come out and judge for themselves they've done this year. We were

talking earlier in his programming with another friend of ours, Kermit Henderson, and Kermit made flat out prediction at the end of his interview, He said that way are doing splendidly described all the different things that we knew things. We have to assist us on our betting

operation. He said that we would do $950,000 a day and that you would have a 12% increase. To think that was to up to Mr Well, that's his, Uh, that's his job. He has the figures, and he is not normally a one to pad. He's done,

If anything is on the conservative side and he's been conservative each day. And so I would and they were going over what he thought we were going to do. So I would say we'd have to stick with Kermit if that's what he says will do that

or better. But that again depends on people coming out here and then having a good time. And, uh, I'm sure you've described already because, you know, I made my rounds. I'm finishing the mail here. It goes up, I got 12 more deliveries to make California Horseracing

Board and the director of racing is that there is an awful lot more to this fair than the horse racing and and so forth. But, uh, if people enjoy that, we try to give them the best cleaner surroundings. They will run track the best form we

can and how we ought to say a few words about that to, uh and, ah, I think new machines. I think we've done everything that the that was asked of us. And, uh, if the people appreciate that, want to come out and join us? I think

that's the big thing. Okay, I'll tell you one thing. Racing, perhaps, is to some people, the more romantic aspect of affair or any event in which it's a part. However, you well know, because it's your baby and your with this all year. There are not one

but hundreds of other aspects of the fair 100 other types of entertainment. Now, I think this is an ideal lead. In the next question. I want to ask you, I want you to talk a little while. Uh, let's describe the 1979 fair. Sure, we're down to

the last couple of days of it. We're keeping them here Thursday afternoon and programming on this evening. We have two more days to go on the fair, but described the 1979 fair as you've seen it up turnout egg and for the next couple of days, and

what you view is the overall recap of it. Well, I think the first thing that needs to be said was what I said on our opening programme some Thursdays ago. At least it seems some Thursdays ago, about a month and 1/2 but any rate about how

the fair is structured, you made some commentary on that which I appreciate about the no property tax being in it, but it's structure. The Board of Supervisors appoints a board of directors which function as the non profit, non paid directors of a fair corporation charted under

the state of California. They make the policy. In my opinion, they are responsible for setting the tone for racing as far as the racing committee is concerned for. You want a whole lot thing while we're at it for, uh, for the flower show is far choosing

the theme and seeing to it that the flower show recording a flower show coordinated dick loose era carries out the scene giving me the directions in the livestock area for Rich Thomas Teoh to run the premium department. Uh, then Doug Morrison, you've already talked to this

morning, I gather, is the entertainment coordinator. They choose these things and say, OK, fellas, here's the package. Now go put the flesh on that package and see to it that that the public has a good time and as much as you possibly can you try to

do that and you try to fathom through the cross section of the board of directors itself what the public itself might like, what hopefully what it might like. And I think that by and large the board chose the correct policy. It's always the correct policy when

you win on when you're up and so on a and that we carried it out well. And I think that's just about describes and not sure how I feel toward this fair. And, uh, I was looking around here. Ah, while you were talking before I took

this microphone away from you And, uh, what I haven't mined for next year already. So we may be able if the if we have enough profit, Ah, to make some capital improvements around. And I think the one we're sitting in right now, this Japanese tea garden

effect I've already discussed with them and I would like to put in a since they're the experts on sliding screens Ah, sliding screen around us to break the wind in the evening, which might even help from some more on here. These are the kind of things

you got to be thinking about. And I really don't get to enjoy the fair, in my opinion, until about August when I look back and see what we did. Because while we're here. I'm making notes about what we should be doing better for next year, and

that's all I can promise you. It's good this year. It will be better next year. I think that's, uh, that's a heck of a promising. It's so it's tremendous issue. I've been all around fairgrounds. I've watched the I've watched the animals judging and debates. I've watched

a little Mariner. Middle Earth marionettes are called the Puppet show, the larger than life animal characters, uh, the free shows over in the Redwood Theater. We've also had to find Pei chou. Now one thing. No, we'll get back to racing again once again. And that is

the fact that we just talked with him about the racing income or revenue. Better off income has risen risen dramatically. It's gone royal permits as it maybe 12%. Now, if that's the case, that how much of this raising revenue will we get to do anything on

our fairgrounds with? All right, let's say that the the average turns out to be, uh, we make the 11 we make the 11 million mark. Well, the first thing is that, uh, 90% of that before we ever see it is siphoned off. 83 a half percent

goes back to the better 6.5 ghost in state of California for what they call a license fee. Uh, which isn't attacks yet. It is. I think the prop 13 people understand about fees now, and that's the license now of that remaining 10%. And I talked to

Jeane Varsity about this yesterday. With all the added and the extras in the person the Cal Breeders fees and everything else we pay 5.3 of that 10% directly back to the horseman. Then, uh, that leaves us 4.7% to meet all expenses. And I would say that

we're gonna wind up with with about 1% of the of the handle. So if the handle is $11 million will wind up with slightly over 100,000 as the net attributable Teoh racing alone. And that's the way I like to look at it. There is one thing,

however, that I think everyone should understand and I'm not being pessimistic about racing. That's the last thing I want to be. Is that at fairs that do not have racing. They have to throw a Merle Haggard show or something like that to bring the people. And

we have a chance to bring in 120,000 people without without having to have a high paid entertainer. What we offer free as the draw incidently. If you want to contrast attendance, we will probably draw 1/4 1,000,000 people into the flower show going through that several times

and probably 120,225 into the racing. So I think it gives you an idea where the balance is here. I'll say the fact that our Farmers Day family day for each day ff a day that Sunday Sunday is always a fabulous it once again this year. Yes,

it was up this year over last and last was up over the previous two years. So yes, I think, is one thing I want to say. And that is that you and I started out with 20 bucks wagered each in our pool, and I just want

to tell the fans that it just goes to show you that we started out with $40 we've got $11 each left so if there's any inside tips, they're not coming to management. They're not coming to the to the coordinator of ah of information either. So just

in case they want to know how how things were fixed around here. If they're fixed, they're fixed. Without human may they have the fixtures avoid us with, like, the plague. Okay. All right. We're going, Teoh disappear in just a moment. But first, I want to thank

this gentleman, my left, develop your girlfriend and it looks like you're going toe. Undoubtedly have the most successful Sonoma County fair of all time. And I congratulate you, the border directors and everybody else did anything to congratulate people, too, who turn out supporters. I think that's

the biggest place to congratulations lives. Okay, that means you out there. All right? We're gonna disappear. We'll be back in one minute for a final wrap up and kill. Then you just watch Russell Tanner's camera around, see some sights way. Well,

here we are. That slightly sad time when we're about to bid goodbye to another Sonoma County fair. You know, Fair always means a great deal to me personally, because when I was a little shaver. My father brought me to the first Sonoma County Fair. That was

in 1936. An affair was about a five day long event, and there was some racing. It's true how many races, I think about 1/2 a dozen each day, and I believe there was something like $20,000 in persons for the races and probably about $50,000 involved in

the entire fair. The fair only got started again after didn't give me many years of absence because of a number of Santa Rosen's, one of whom will be honored at the major handicap tomorrow afternoon, the bigger part of Saturday afternoon. And that is the Joseph L.

Grace Handicap. There are a number of things left to occur at the fair. There is Friday and Saturday, yet we hope that you'll take the time to come out for these reasons. Of course, racing Army to racing will take place both days. The first post is

at 1:20 p.m. Let's see Friday, the California Appaloosa derby That's a major event, and the Empire State's also on Saturdays I mentioned a moment ago. The Joseph Grace Handicap gives me, um to other persons are very important to you if you like entertainment. Leroy Van Dyke

will appear in the Chris Beck Arena at three and 8 p.m. I Beg your Pardon habia degrees Back Arena Tonight with The Eddie Rabbit Show. He will appear in the Redwood Theater That's free entertainment, and that will be at three PM and eight PM on both

Friday. Insanity, along with him is a local favorite. A lady named Rita Cantu's is a very fine singer, and she's going to also appear with Leroy Van Dyke. Let me see. What else can I tell you that's going to be occurring? The horse racing, of course,

is going to draw a tremendous crowd of people today and tomorrow. The fair itself always does. We probably will see 1/2 a 1,000,000 people come through the gates this year. They will all we hope, have had a wonderful time. My name is rich. McGlinchey. I represent

cinema counting. The seventies were doing this final show, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. I guess it's time to say goodbye until next year. Way hope that you've been to the fair. If you haven't, we hope to see you at the fair. So long and good luck to

you. Sonoma County in the seventies from the fair is presented as a public service through the Cooperative services of Total Television of Santa Rosa, applied video engineering in North Bay Communication Services and is a presentation of the Sonoma County Public Information Office. Thank you for watching.