Fair History:
The first fair came into existence when the Waterford Grange No. 231 was asked to come up with an idea for a community activity which would involve the Beverly, Waterford area. We talked with Doris Wainwright and she said John Noll suggested a Community Fair. Dick Fogle suggested the Grange provide $100.00 toward expenses for the 1959 fair and it was done. We found a check stub that Doris Wainwright had recorded and after this first fair the $100.00 was repaid to Grange No. 231 for a loan. The first fair was held in an open field in Waterford at the end of Virginia and Washington Streets.
Of course, 50 years later there are many houses in the once open field. There were no buildings of any kind, tents were rented for the livestock, fancy work and food stands. The Grange had a tent they served food from. They cooked hot dogs in William and Gladys Meredith’s kitchen and then took them to the tent to sell. Francis Sampson told us they served the food from a wide board stationed on saw horses and kept drinks in a big wash tub of ice. Bob Miller was chosen to be Parade Marshal, because he done the electrical work for the first fair. He also provided rides by driving a garden tractor with a trailer at the place where Larry McCoy resides today, in 2009. Horse and pony shows were featured. Bill Chipps was asked to bring Ayrshire cattle to show, Charles Campbell showed Brown Swiss and Neil Milner showed Holstein cattle. Other events were climbing a greased pole, catching a greased pig that cost the board $20.00 to purchase. Other entertainment consisted of hay exhibits, old fashioned fiddling contest, displays by 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church and school groups. The old country store had household appliances, motor oil, house paint, and many other items were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Many of these items were donated by merchants from Marietta, Beverly, Lowell and Waterford. A parade is where this fair began and in the beginning 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prizes were given to the best performing band, outstanding float, best decorated bicycle and horse riding. Oran Adams sold tickets at the fairs before he became a board member and after. No bathroom facilities were available. Ronnie Eichmiller was never a board member, but provided many hours of his time to the fair. In the beginning the electrical work was put up for each fair and when the fair was over it had to be taken down. Another who helped was Mr. Crooks who was a barber in Waterford, where Deb’s Hair Station is today. Dave Lowe was appointed official Fair Veterinarian and received $10.00. August 27, 1959 our liability insurance was $121.20 and in 2008 we paid over $5,000.00
There were six directors as the Constitution states. Ida Drake was not a board member for several years. In 1960, the fair was moved to the Drake and Leibrand properties, where Charles Heiss lives today, in 2009. Ida Drake cooked the hot dogs this year in her kitchen. They basically had the same set up with tents. This year they added Kart Races under the supervision of the McConnelsville Kart Club. We spent $153.71 for wood to build a dance floor. There were church services held this year also. Barlow Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. won a prize for the newest fire equipment at the fair. They had purchased their truck in May of 1960. The Harrison Twp. Fire Dept. from Philo, Ohio had the oldest equipment and drive the farthest. This year the board decided to make some extra money and had a Donkey Basketball Game.
In 1961, the fair moved to the Wolf Creek Recreation Grounds, and is still held there today. The grounds are known as the Community Fair Grounds. The Starcher building was constructed this year as a pole barn.
In 1964, the fair began on Thursday night because the Cunningham Ride Co. did not like setting up on Thursday and their rides not running until after the parade on Friday. We paid $4.08 for taxes and $1.00 to lease grounds on the Wolf Creek Recreation Grounds that were owned by Wolf Creek Local School District. The Starcher Building was completed and they were putting the siding on it by lights the night before the fair.
In 1971, a motorcycle rodeo was introduced. The PTA put up a building for food sales. This was the first year for the Hog Show and Sale. We had a swine sale of 5, this was just of the best market hogs. Hogs had been shown before this date on the fair grounds, but did not sell.
