County Fair Was A Special Time In Our Area

It’s Fair time!  All across the country fairs are held each autumn.  Whether it is a small county fair or large state fair, these events bring people together to celebrate agricultural achievements and the successful harvest.  They are an important part of farm culture.

Deeply rooted in agriculture, fairs are intended to educate and entertain. There are exhibit buildings and livestock barns to wander through.  Show rings, rodeos, tractor pulls, concerts and a variety of events provide amusement.  There is the midway, with the Ferris wheel and a multitude of whirling, spinning rides; games of chance and prizes to win; and corn dogs, kettle corn and cotton candy to enjoy!  The sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells of the fair offer something for all of the senses.

The first mention of a local county fair appeared in the April 17, 1903 edition of the Sylvan Valley News.  The idea resurfaced several times over the next 14 years but it was not until October 31, 1917 that the first Transylvania County Fair was held.

Prizes were awarded in the areas of livestock, farm products, fancy work and culinary.  Livestock categories included horses, mules, beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep and poultry.  Farm products were corn, oats, rye, soybeans, apples, butter, honey and a variety of vegetables.  Fancy work was comprised of crocheted, tatted, embroidered, quilted and sewn goods.  Culinary included preserves and canned goods, as well as bakery items.  Prizes were given at both the adult and student level.  There were also educational exhibits prepared by students.  Students competed in the 100 yard dash, broad jump and high jump in two age groups, as well.

A county fair was held for three years before it fell to the wayside.  During the 1920s there was talk of reviving the fair but it was not until agricultural teachers and students from both Brevard and Rosman High schools held student fairs in 1930 that the community got behind the idea again.  Successful county fairs were held in five of the next six years.

In 1937 it was decided that a fair would not be held due to the lack of suitable fair grounds.  The Transylvania Times suggested the county home farm in Selica as a location.  Fair grounds were never established though.

Mary Jane Howard of the Cedar Mountain community won the
grand prize for her French style green beans at the 1977
Transylvania County Fair.  She also won several red and
blue ribbons.

It was nearly 40 years before the idea of a full-scale county fair was once again purposed.  The Transylvania Bicentennial County Fair was held at Camp Straus August 23-28, 1976.  The event was a big success and a county fair was held for at least three more years.

Since 1994 the North Carolina Mountain State Fair has been held at the WNC Agricultural Center where Transylvania County is typically well represented each September.  The North Carolina State Fair has been held in Raleigh each year, with a few exceptions, since 1853.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.