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| County fair dates to 1887 in Boone County |
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| Question: What is the history of the fair - Boone County or district? When was the first fair? |
 Answer: In searching old records, we find that a notice of the second annual fair of Harrison and a North Arkansas Fair Association setting the fair date of October 3, 4, and 5, 1888. So, was the first fair held the previous year?
Evidently so.
In 1893, the seventh annual fair took place and a fair booklet from that 1893 fair is printed in a back issue of the Boone County Historian.
The 1888 fair advertised $2,000 in premiums and $800 in purses, and featured mule races, bicycle races, trotting races, running races and foot races. The following was written in the Historian:
"Prof. J. R. Elliot, assisted by Mademoiselle Loisette, will make four ascensions in his mammoth new balloon, 'The Arkansaw,' and leap from it while one mile in the air. This will be supplemented by interesting performances on the slack rope and trapeze." |
| "The display of fireworks Thursday night will be magnificent, including all the latest and most startling designs. The Harrison Silver Cornet Band will disburse sweet music and addresses will be by Gov. Hughes, Senators Berry and Jones. Grand displays of Native Productions! All the wonderful and varied resources of the great State of Arkansas! The latest improved Agricultural Implement! Choice Fruits! Improved Stock of all kinds! Curious things! New things! Four days crowded with interest! Four days of Recreation! Let Everybody Come! Bring your wives and children! Examine the premium list!" |
| So, in 1888, it was a huge event. |
| There have been four known locations where the fair has been held through the years: one is across from Holt Enterprises on Highway 7 South (pictured above); one is on the Harrison Square; another was the football field by Crooked Creek; and the present location south of town that everyone just refers to as "The Fairgrounds." |
| I can remember carnivals on the square, but I find it interesting that the fair would be held there. In checking a 1937 issue of the Harrison Daily Times, the following was written: |
| "At a meeting in the federal courtroom in Harrison, Monday, September 13, 1937, the date of holding the Boone County Fair was definitely fixed for October 15 and 16 at Harrison. It was planned that the livestock exhibits will be placed on the east and north sides of the courthouse square, while the finer exhibits and the vegetables and field crops exhibits will be placed in windows of various stores around town, the merchants being requested to grant that privilege." |
| Serving on the Fair Board in 1893 were: H.A. Crandell, H.C. Tipton, A.C. Hull, F.M. Garvin, G.J. Crump, H.C. King, S.C. Speer, R.F. King, W.A. Speer and A.L. King. A Boone County Fair Association was formed as a corporation in 1913, with Frank Kirby, J.R. Newman, A.C. Hull, B.B. Pullen, J. Sol Mitchell, Guy L. Trimble, J.N. Shelby, Lee Bell, W.M. Evatt, Charles Green, A.J. Sellers, George Wycoff and Bob Mitchell as members. |
| The fair has evolved into the Northwest Arkansas District Fair, although the Boone County Fair is the week before the District Fair. Fair Week is a "big thing" for those showing livestock and the many who enter everything from canned and baked goods, art work, quilts and etc. Another tidbit of interest, over 50,000 people attended the district fair in 1985. Wonder how many will attend in 2006? |
| The pictures accompanying this article are from the files at the Boone County Heritage Museum. Only three men, showing sheep, could be identified. So if you know some pictured, please let the museum know who they are. We welcome your input! |
| Volume II of the Boone County, Arkansas Family History Book will be published in the near future. Please turn in your family history, along with a picture, so your family can be featured in this upcoming book. The Boone County Historical & Railroad Society strives to preserve the history of this county, and your membership in this organization is important and welcomed. Take time to visit the Heritage Museum, located on the corner of South Cherry and Central Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Breece can be contacted at bchm@windstream.net |
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