The United States (and the colonies before 1776) has a long and rich tradition of local, county, and state agricultural fairs. Other countries have a similar tradition of celebrating agricultural and technological progress. Most of these fairs take place in late summer or early autumn so that the best of the harvest can be shown, along with livestock. In more recent times, food, games, and other amusements have been added to the mix.
The earliest recorded agricultural fair in the U.S. occurred in 1765 in York, PA. Little has been recorded of the event, other than its two-day run. However, it is possible that like so many other gatherings in colonial society, the celebrations was marked with speeches by local luminaries, some drinking, and maybe some gambling on horse races or other events. Overall it was an effort to recognize agricultural achievements and for relatively isolated farmers to connect with other members of their community.
The first New York State Fair (and the first recorded state fair in the U.S.) occurred in September 1841, very close to what is now downtown Syracuse. It is estimated in accounts of the day that total attendance was between 10,000 and 15,000. NY State Fairs over the years have turned out some interesting entertainment (such as speeches by former Presidents Martin Van Buren and Millard Fillmore), the first recorded “Ferris Wheel” at any venue (1849), and Presidential visits from Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.
The current NYS Fair runs for 13 days, attracts close to a million visitors, and continues to celebrate agricultural accomplishments (plus much more). It is a destination event for members of Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.), 4-H, The Grange, and a huge number of adult competitors as well as family farm enterprises. Cattle (dairy and beef), horses (riders and hitch teams), sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, llamas, and rabbits are among the contestants vying for “Grand Champion” awards. Fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, grains, legumes, and forage crops comprise some of the entries that have representative judging during the fair. Of course, a modern fair would not be complete without midway rides, games of luck and skill, and a wide variety of food.
The end of summer, at least in the Northeast U.S., is marked by Labor Day and the end of “fair season”. Students begin returning to school and farmers head into the main portion of their harvest time. Soon the deciduous leaves will turn colors and then drop off. Hunting season is right around the corner. The joys of summer become memories as the various fairs come to an end.