County Fairs Are a Part of the American Tradition

The weather's chilly. The days are shortening. It is officially fall. That can only mean one thing.

It's time for the county fair.

They were setting up the roller coasters and other rides when I passed by the fairgrounds in my hometown. For the next week, the Pike County fairgrounds will play hosts to colorful machines that clamor for the sky, flashing lights, cotton candy and other exotic foods, contests, booths and exhibits.

Happy people of all ages will be there, too. Young children will delight themselves on carousel rides. Older more daring youth will ride the Spider, Tilt-A-Whirl and Gravitron. Boyfriend and girlfriend will walk hand and hand along the midway while darkness sets in. Parents and grandparents of exhibit winners will swell with pride. Exhibit winners will strut around wearing their blue ribbons and holding their cash prizes. They proved to be the best in their category.

Yes, the fair has something to offer anyone. It is the one social event with live entertainment, games, rides, contests and things to show the world. The quilters, the canners, the steer or dog or truck shows. The biggest pumpkin or acorn squash. This is the place to show the world what you can do.
I've included a few fair facts about county fairs, something for lovers to think about while they walk down the midway together.

America's First County Fair
America's first and oldest fair was held in 1765, 11 years before the United States became a nation. It was held in York, Pennsylvania. Today the York Exposition Center has 114,000 square feet of rentable space for year round events. Except for 11 days in September when the York Fair comes to town.

America's Longest Continuing County Fair
While York, Pennsylvania has the oldest fair, Watertown, New York boasts the longest continuous fair in the United States. Jefferson County, New York has had a fair every year for the last 193 years, since 1807.

America's Largest County Fair
The Los Angeles County, California Fair is the largest county fair, not just in the U.S., but in North America. This fair attracts more than one million people every year. The Los Angeles County Fair ranks in the top 10 among North American fairs.

America's Most Expensive County Fair, Maybe
The San Diego County, California Fair is the sixth largest fair in the nation. It is perhaps the most expensive with daily passes costing $13 for adults.

America's Longest Running County Fair.
The Orange County (again in California) Fair runs for five straight weeks at $10 a day.
Despite rising costs admission passes and a recession, local folks and some out-of-towners still flock to the fairgrounds to enjoy a day or evening of good clean fun.