Elkhart County

Continued from page 8

In 1908, a new fair organization purchased the current fairgrounds and established the Elkhart County Fair organizations. Prior to this organization forming, the fair was operated by a local agriculture association.

In 1909, newspapers referred to that year’s fair as “the second fair,” even though it was actually the 36th fair held 58 years after the first fair in Elkhart County.

“That’s what’s so fun about history,” Wilfong said. “You think it’s pretty cut and dry, but it isn’t. It also shows the importance of good journalism. We’re looking at newspaper reports from 100 years ago. It shows how we’re looking at newspaper reports done 100 years ago.”

News reports in 1914 start using 1851 as the “start” date for the fair. 1914 was also the start of World War I. During the war, the fair is still held but it’s a smaller event. In 1920, there was not a fair and the fair property is put back into receivership, although Wilfong couldn’t find a reason why.

There was a fair in 1921 and the fair did make it through the

Great Depression. In 1940, the fair organization found itself in financial difficulties and the American Legion purchased the fairgrounds and took over operating the fair.

By this time, 4-H has been established and part of the fair, but there are no livestock exhibits because of an outbreak of polio. Later that year, a 4-H livestock exhibition was held at Goshen High School.

In 1944, the 4-H clubs split from the American Legion and holds its own fair at Rice Field in Elkhart. Rice Field was home to the fair for about 10 years.

In 1955, the present fair board association reignited, took control of the fair from the American Legion and returned to the fairgrounds. In 1956, newspapers mention dress revue for the first time.

From 1955 to 2020, things go well and the fair continues to grow. Then COVID hit and while there was no official fair, livestock shows were still held.

This year is the 150th fair, 173 years after the first fair was held. The fair board plans to commemorate the fair in a variety of ways.

So he’s looking forward to actually “seeing” the fair this year, noting he hasn’t been to a Round Robin competition since he was in 4-H.

“That will be real interesting,” he said.

He also hopes to continue having two nights of tractor pulls.

Jessop said several people asked whether he was counting down to the start of the fair.

“It started getting real at 60 days,” Jessop said.