Last week I covered a little about the Cherokee and Neosho County Fair history and this week I will conclude with the rest of Neosho and then Crawford County.
Neosho County, after having a part in the fair at Chanute for many years, the 4-H club fair officially moved to Erie the summer of 1948 and was held in late August. Several buildings had to be built, primarily with volunteer labor and about this time the second organization of the county fair was done. However, none of those early papers could be found so in June of 1954 the fair board once again, with representatives from each township formed the Neosho County Fair Association, Inc. How long has Neosho County had a County Fair? The first county wide fair was held 136 years ago, (1889). If dated from when the fair officially moved to Erie in 1948 this would be the 77th county fair. Since incorporation in 1954 it has been continuous for 71 years.
Crawford County, Kansas, has a rich history of county fairs that reflect local culture and agricultural practices. The first Crawford County Fair is believed to have taken place in the late 1800s, around 1868 or 1870 in Girard, KS Initially, the fair focused on agriculture, livestock, and local crafts. By the 1900s it was an annual event showcasing advancements in farming and community achievements. In the 1950s and 1960s there was lots of entertainment added such as a carnival and live music and then later demolition derbies and several other attractions. 4-H and Open Class exhibits continue to be a central reason for the fair, usually held the end of July or first of August. In fact the Crawford County Fair is going on right now, July 30-August 2nd.
My husband was a 11 year 4-H member in Crawford County and his father, John Carlson contributed hundreds of hours of volunteer time doing electrical wiring in barns and buildings. The 4-H Council had a big money raising event each year, that of selling home made ice cream. Mr. Carlson converted a five gallon hand cranked ice cream maker into a mixer powered by an electric motor in the late 1950s. As far as I know they are still making and selling homemade ice cream.
Every fair has something unique to offer the visitor, whether it be the various competitions and judging, great food or just the sense of community.
In today’s world it’s so refreshing to see a young 4-Her walking her pig on the fair grounds at 7:15 AM or the Mom and Dad I saw a few days ago walking with their three young children, I think only one was old enough to be in 4-H, once again at 7:15 in the morning to give their two goats exercise outside their pens. What lessons in family time together, family support of their children and the many responsibilities being taught to our young people, our leaders of tomorrow.
