A fair to remember
Nothing can inspire a sense of community quite like a county fair. Fairs bring people together to have fun and to celebrate their heritage, their culture and their traditions. It seems fairs are impervious to the distractions of modern life. The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), Springfield, Mo., estimates there are about 2,500 county fairs held in the United States every year, and that number does not seem to be declining.
County fairs began in the United States as far back as the 1600s as a means for trade and agricultural competition. Since then, they have evolved to embrace many aspects of American culture, and each one is a bit different.
Regardless of their differences, all fairs have one thing in common — they are an important link to the past. “Whether the fair is in a coastal county or high desert, [it] offers a platform to tell the story of the county — its people, its economy and its recreational and educational opportunities,” says Sue Roeck, assistant manager for the Jackson County Fair in Central Point, Ore.
Animal house
Agriculture is at the foundation of county fairs in America. “I think all fairs are somewhat agriculturally based,” says Max Willis, assistant general manager for IAFE. “They largely started out as agricultural and livestock shows, [where people competed] over who had the premier animal.” In fact, many fairs are closely tied to the national 4-H organization, the youth education branch of the Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.
The Windham County Fair in Brooklyn, Conn., which began in 1946, remains strictly agricultural. Members of the 4-H club sit on the fair’s board of directors, and they plan and conduct the fair with adult advisors. The 4-H participants have the opportunity to learn from other young exhibitors, and they have their projects evaluated by adult experts. Lastly, the fair offers an opportunity for the public to see the 4-H program in action. “I think, in the case of a 4-H fair, it is important that the community sees local youth positively engaged in a community function,” says David Colberg, 4-H program coordinator for the University of Connecticut in Brooklyn.
Despite their agricultural roots, many fairs have evolved into something much bigger. The Jackson County Fair began as an agricultural fair in 1859, and it remains “the showcase for the ‘bounty of the county,’” according to Roeck. But the fair has expanded and now features entertainment, arts and crafts.
Similarly, the Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Fair Exposition began in 1951 as a 4-H fair strictly for students, and, while the fair continues to focus on the area’s agricultural heritage, it has grown to offer many other attractions. For example, it has a Midway with 2,500 to 3,000 concessionaires offering rides, games and food, and it offers a forum to showcase individual crafts.
Crafting a heritage
Incorporating arts and crafts can help county fairs attract a broad range of visitors, Willis says. Susan Burnside, print/publicity director for the Miami-Dade County Fair Exposition, explains that county fairs are one of the few remaining ways to celebrate human creativeness. “It is empowering to make a beautiful quilt, sew cloth dolls, craft a wooden bowl or create a piece of jewelry — and to be recognized for your skill,” she says.
In Ridgefield, Wash., the 134-year-old Clark County Fair offers arts and crafts and a stage for exhibitors to showcase their skills, talents and wares. “Many people today associate a fair with the traditional agricultural products and animals,” says Patrick Wood, marketing manager for the fair. “But it’s truly where one gets a sense of community and pride in showcasing their skills and products.”
Incorporating arts and crafts can make fairs welcoming to all cultures, says Kent Gustafson, extension educator for the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, who has noticed a trend toward inclusiveness in county fair organization. “Some fairs are incorporating broader cultural/ethnic groups into the fair, adding new features and changing their definitions of entertainment,” he says.
Roeck explains that changing demographics are a challenge facing many fairs, including Jackson County’s. “We are starting to have dialogues with members of [other cultures] to try to come up with programs and entertainment that will entice our new neighbors to the fair,” she says.
By finding ways to include all cultures, county fairs have been able to keep attendance levels high. “Our county is 55 percent Hispanic with immigrants arriving daily from Central and South America,” Burnside says. “They are introducing their native crafts through our fair, and it is a wonderful way to learn about new cultures and to share ethnic traditions.”
Besides attracting different ethnicities, arts and crafts appeal to people of all ages. Willis says that, to ensure a fair’s success, fair organizers must offer something for various generations.
Races and rides
If agriculture and crafts are not enough to attract crowds, many fairs add a multitude of attractions aimed at family entertainment. Attractions can range from rides and games to animal races.
Harness racing is the main attraction at the Delaware County Fair, in Delaware, Ohio. The fair began in the 1850s, but the first harness race was held in 1946. The Little Brown Jug, as the race is known, features three-year-old pacers that vie for the Little Brown Jug trophy and its accompanying purse.
The Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp, Calif., draws immense crowds for its competition. The fair started in the 1800s and was made famous by Mark Twain in his short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The competition involves a multitude of frogs leaping to set a new world record. (The current world record for the longest frog jump at the fair was set in 1986 by Rosie the Ribiter, who leaped 21 feet 5 ¾ inches.)
David Smith is the main attraction at the 131-year-old Steele County Free Fair in Owatonna, Minn. A day at the fair might include seeing a show, enjoying the rides at the Midway or playing games at the arcade. But the big crowds gather to watch Smith, the Human Cannonball, fly across the Midway twice a day. (This year, he will attempt to break the human projectile world distance record of 185 feet 10 inches.)
The Clark County Fair, popular for its arts and crafts attractions, also features some unique events. This year, the fair will host six evenings of national entertainment, three nights of motor sports, championship bull riding, one of the largest carnivals in the Pacific Northwest, 15,000 non-commercial exhibits and more than 400 commercial vendors.
“I firmly believe that county fairs will survive — providing they embrace the changes of today’s world by bringing in new ideas and new technology,” Roeck says. “Fairs can’t remain stagnant and rely on tradition alone. Fair boards and staff must be open to change and must continue to seek direction from the entire community in which they live.” In keeping with that philosophy, Jackson County fair organizers have expanded the traditional open class division of exhibits — which includes jellies, cakes and textiles — to include digital photography and Web page design.
According to Willis, good business practices can help ensure a fair’s success. “You have to look at your revenue and expenses. You have to be creative and involve those things that make businesses successful, such as financial management, customer service, and well-rounded entertainment and exhibits,” he says.
County Fairs
The following vendors offer a variety of services for county fairs.
Amusements of America
24 Federal Road
Monroe Township NJ 08831
(732) 446-7144 (phone)
(732) 446-0977 (fax)
www.amusementsofamerica.com
Bates Bros. Amusement
1506 Fernwood Road
Wintersville OH 43953
(740) 266-2950 (phone)
(740) 266-2953 (fax)
www.batesbros.com
Belle City Amusements
PO Box 195459
Winter Springs FL 32719-5459
(407) 474-1448 (phone)
(407) 322-5130 (fax)
Butler Amusements
3003 S.W. 153rd, Suite 205
Beaverton OR 97006
(503) 643-6610 (phone)
(503) 643-7140 (fax)
www.butleramusements.com
Conklin Shows
PO Box 210008
West Palm Beach FL 33421-0008
(561) 793-2477 (phone)
(561) 793-3306 (fax)
www.conklinshows.com
Crabtree Amusements
PO Box 100
Staples TX 78670-0100
(512) 357-6840 (phone)
(512) 357-6235 (fax)
Gold Star Amusements
PO Box 48057
Coon Rapids MN 55448
(763) 767-2601 (phone)
(763) 767-2601 (fax)
www.goldstaramusements.com
McDonagh’s Amusements
11300 W. Peet Road
PO Box 218
Chesaning MI 48616
(989) 845-6369 (phone)
(989) 845-6353 (fax)
www.mcdonaghsamusements.com
North American Amusements
11101 Calabash Ave.
Fontana CA 92337-7018
(909) 357-7130 (phone)
(909) 357-7136 (fax)
Tinsley’s Amusements
1014 Booneslick Road
PO Box 77
High Hill MO 63350
(636) 585-2221 (phone)
(636) 585-2600 (fax)
County Fairs
Dates to remember
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March 14-31: Miami-Dade County Fair Exposition; 10910 Coral Way (SW 24 St.), Miami FL 33165; (305) 223-7060;
www.fairexpo.com. -
May 16-19: Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee; 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp CA 95222; (209) 736-2561;
www.frogtown.org. -
July 16-21: Jackson County Fair; PO Box 3635, Central Point OR 97502; (541) 776-7237;
www.jcfairgrounds.com. -
July 26-27 (tentative): Windham County 4-H Fair; 139 Wolf Den Road, Brooklyn CT 06234; (860) 774-9600.
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Aug. 2-11: Clark County Fair; 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield WA 98642; (360) 397-6180;
www.clarkcofair.com. -
Aug. 13-18: Steele County Free Fair; 1525 S. Cedar Ave., PO Box 650; Owatonna MN 55060;
www.scff.org. -
Sept. 14-20: Delaware County Fair; PO Box 1278, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware OH 43015; (800) 335-3247;
www.delawarecountyfair.com.
