County Fairs

Origins and Variations

U.S. county fairs trace their origins to two distinct types of gatherings. The celebratory aspects of the fair stem from European and Western Asian market and harvest fairs (which date back at least to late Roman times). These fairs were opportunities for rural dwellers to come together for trade and entertainment. Contemporary fairs still act as important opportunities for residents of various communities in a county to renew acquaintances and to participate in often-unique local rituals (for example, the daily covered-dish luncheons in Neshoba County, Mississippi, or the annual lemon pie contest in Ventura County, California).

The competitive elements of the fair—the awarding of ribbons and cash prizes for the best pig, pumpkin, or pie—are a modern phenomenon, dating only to the [Page 348]early nineteenth century. These originated as efforts to improve the quality of U.S. sheep stock and woolen goods. At the first agricultural fairs, held in Massachusetts's Berkshire region, farmers won cash prizes for exhibiting the finest animals—thus providing both an example and an incentive for those who fell short. Competitions soon expanded to include other farm produce, as well as the products of farm women (homespun materials, quilts, knit clothing, canned and preserved foods), and later even baby contests, where standards of child rearing were evaluated and rewarded in much the same way as standards of animal husbandry.

The 1862 U.S. Morrill Act made agricultural education a public enterprise, as opposed to being conducted by private agricultural associations. This created a precedent for public funding, although fairs are not federally funded and rely heavily on community support and participation for their success. Funding is often provided through state agricultural departments, reflecting the fair's status as a means of promoting agriculture and commerce, and these funds may be derived from dedicated sources such as parimutuel betting (wagering on horse racing, which historically took place on fairgrounds and provided another form of agrarian competition). Other fairs raise funds through the sale of shares in the fair organization, typically to local shareholders.