An Honest History – The Breeze-Courier

Elyse Clayton, Breeze-Courier

TAYLORVILLE–“To all to whom these gifts shall come, greeting:

Whereas a certificate, duly signed and acknowledged, was filed in the office of the Secretary of State for the organization of the Christian County Agricultural Fair Association on April 29, 1924…”

The fair’s founders wrote that “the purpose for which the fair is established is to promote and conduct an educational and agricultural fair and exhibition.”

Now, 100 years later, the Christian County Agricultural Fair is still in full swing and gearing up for next week’s festivities. From the Grandstand to the livestock barns, this year’s County Fair is set to be one of the largest yet, with traditions both new and old ready to entertain fairgoers.

“Everyone should come to the fair and help us celebrate the 100th anniversary,” said County Fair Treasurer Larry Budd. “I like seeing all the kids with smiles on their faces and knowing they have a safe environment to have a good time.”

The Fair as we know it grew out of a small fair and livestock show held at Manners Park two or three years prior to 1924. Its success prompted leaders to expand and establish the Fair as it is today.

Some older fair traditions included the calf scramble, where children competed to catch calves for the chance to win a calf of their choice. The rodeo was also a major community event, as were speeches from various politicians. For a time, the fair even had a “Democratic Day” and “Republican Day.” The Grandstand once held religious services to open the fair on Sunday.

Many traditions have continued to this day, such as the beauty pageants. Looking back at the Breeze-Courier archives, the oldest record of the Miss Christian County Pageant is from 1931, when Miss Lucille Lee of Mt. Auburn was crowned “Miss Christian Co.” Other traditions have had their day, such as the annual majorette contest where girls tried to outdo their opponents.

The fair has had its share of ups and downs. Jim Micenheimer reflected on financial problems the fair faced in his early days on the board. It got to the point where they had to go out into the community and collect donations or they couldn’t run it.

“I’ll never forget going there and paying off the mortgage,” said Micenheimer, who has been on the board since he was 19 and has experienced many of the stock market’s highs and lows.

The fairgrounds have also witnessed some other Taylorville history. In 1839, Christian County built a new courthouse, and the old building still stands. The building was on the Christian County Fairgrounds until 1967, when they donated it to the historical society, where it still stands.