Good Day! Volume 6, Issue 3 (October 2022)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Betsy E. Huber

National Grange President Betsy Huber

I’m sad to see the end of summer. I enjoy having the windows open, being able to go outside without bundling up, seeing all the green fields and lawns, and - of course - working in my garden.

One of my favorite things about summer is the fairs. I love visiting fairs - the animals all clipped and shampooed, the rows of beautiful canned fruits, vegetables, and jellies, fresh vegetables and flowers from the many gardens, handicrafts showing incredible talents, lots of small businesses showing their wares and services, and of course the food! There’s nothing like fresh-cut French fries and creamy milkshakes! I always find lots of interesting things and learn something every time I visit a fair.

I especially love looking at the Grange exhibits. Did you ever notice that no other community organization or service club puts together these beautiful displays or educational booths at the fair? This is a major opportunity for us to showcase our organization and the many projects and services we do for the community.

If your fair hasn’t given your Grange the opportunity to put up an exhibit, contact them now and ask about next year. The fairs that I’ve worked with and visited are always looking for good exhibits to attract more attendees. I encourage you - in addition to the beautiful display - be sure to include some explanation about what the Grange is. This is your opportunity to brag about what you do and let your neighbors know about our great organization and why they should get involved.

Grange has a long history of involvement with local fairs, often being the founding group to originate the fair to show off their crops and garden products. Many fairs across the country are still operated by Granges, but some have separated from the Grange and are now independently managed, forgetting their Grange history.

As early as 1874, one year after organization of the State Grange, Pennsylvania held two statewide Grangers picnics attracting thousands of people who came to hear politicians and other nationally-known figures and to fellowship with fellow farmers.

Imagine, they all traveled by horse or by train! Because of the distance people had to travel, the events soon developed into several day events and then into Grangers’ fairs.

At its height, the “Great Grangers Interstate Picnic and Exhibition” at Williams Grove, PA, attracted 100,000 people during the week and on “big days” from 50-60,000 people. The Governor usually addressed the crowd, and so did Carrie Nation, Carrie Chapman Catt, Oliver Hudson Kelley, and many other famous figures. Governor Woodrow Wilson kicked off his Presidential campaign at this Fair in 1912 to a crowd of 30,000. How did he do that with no microphone?

Read lots more about fairs and their history in this issue and learn more about the connection between Granges and county fairs. Fairs are still a wonderful place to tell the Grange story and talk to people.