About the Fair
In 1937, Christian County celebrated it's first county fair and that tradition continues today.
Historical Articles:
Christian County Fair History
Article in July 1st, 1937 CC Republican
“Ozark May Have County Fair”
Centered around fruits, vegetables, grains, domestic arts and antiques with the suggestion of livestock be included.Held at the Ozark Sales Pavilian.
Article in October 7th, 1937 CC Republican
“First Fair to be held in Fifteen Years”
Carnival was on all sides of the square.The Rodeo was held at the Finley River area.
They had the followed competitions:
Cracker eating contest for boys under 16
100 yard race
Women’s hog calling contest
Apple eating contest for girls under 16
Ladies nail driving contest
Race for men over 50
Article in July 14th, 1938 CC Republican.
“County Fair Incorporated”
Special session of county court being held today for that purpose.
A special session of the county court was held today, Thursday, for the express purpose of hearing the petition of more than 50 residents of Christian County for the incorporation of the Christian County Fair Association, which will be technically known as the Christian County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, this name being required by the state law under the association will be incorporated.
The 50 or more signees were obtained last week by President F.M. Doubt and M.C. Haguewood, after a special committee had obtained about 38 signatures.
At the meeting of the board of directors to be held tonight at the office of the county agent, the committee on a permanent site will make a more detailed report and in all probability some action will be taken on closing the deal for the grounds just south of town.
Joe Major, chairman of the carnival committee, has word from representatives of several carnival companies will be here this week to take up the matter of the contract.
Bruce Maples, Joe Major and John M. Pile, as a special budgeting committee, met Tuesday night and have filed their report with President F.M. Doubt.
The sale of advertising in the catalog is progressing.The committee is working in Springfield this week.
Fair was held on September 1, 2, and 3 in 1938:
Premium List (premiums were about $2 for first prize and $1 for 2nd)
Horses & Mules
Some interesting classes we don’t currently have:
Best 5 gaited horse or mare
Best 3 gaited horse or mare
Best trained horse or mare, any age, all tricks considered
Dairy Cattle
Beef Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
Poultry
Horticulture
Field Crops
Home Economics
Bread, cakes and cookies
Canned products
Textiles
Quilts, spread and rugs
Antiques
Oldest article wearing apparel
Oldest gun or pistol
Oldest collection dishes
Oldest collection coins or bills
Cut flowers
Potted plants
Oliver Amusement Co. was the carnival chosen.They had 6 big rides, 5 big shows and 30 concessions.There was a high double trapeze act that was free attraction twice each day.They appeared in the center of the midway .
Crowds were estimated at 5,000 to 10,000 people.
The Fair Association also presented a circus on September 26th.
Original land purchased was a stip of land 400 ft. north and south and from highway 14 on the east to highway 65 on the west.Contains about 5 to 6 acres.
Article in June 19th, 1947 CC Republican:
“Committees named to sell stock in Christian County Fair Association”
Had to sell 200 share of stock at $10 per share to fund grandstand.Committees from Spokane, Sparta, Nixa, Ozark, McCracken, Garrison, Clever, Billings, Highlandville and Chadwick.
Rodeo bill included for August 14th, 1947 – Buff Lamb was the clown.
Ad for Douglas County Fair in Ava for September 18th to 20th. $1200 in premiums to exhibitors.
Interesting Tidbits from the time 1936, 1937 & 1938.
Old age assistance averaged went up to $16.92 per month in 1938.
Grocery prices advertised in the paper:
Fryers cut for the skillet, spring dressed $0.45 each
Oranges $0.25 dozen
Apples 4 lbs.$0.25
Hamburger $0.15 per lb.
Sausage $0.20 per lb.
Bananas4 lbs.$0.23
Minced ham or bologna2 lbs.$0.25
Jello $0.05 per pkg.
Lard (pure hog) 4lbs.$0.49
Flour 48 lbs.$1.69
Roosevelt was President.
Today’s “shop local” campaign by the Chamber of Commerce was important to the community back then.It was called “cultivate civic consciousness”.
Basketball games for the Ozark High School were held in the Community Building on the square.
Canning plants were located at Sparta, Bruner and Abadyl.They advertised for contracts for tomatoes.
You could buy 3 electrical clocks from Empire District Electric for $13.55.
There was a “for sale” ad in the 1936 CC Republican for a 1927 model Ford Coupe with new tires and new paint.Price was $30.
Tickets at the MOZark theatre in Springfield were $0.10 for kids and $0.16 for adults.
Hanks Chevrolet ad for a 1936 Chevrolet was $495 and up.
Historical Articles:
Christian County Fair History
Article in July 1st, 1937 CC Republican
“Ozark May Have County Fair”
Centered around fruits, vegetables, grains, domestic arts and antiques with the suggestion of livestock be included.Held at the Ozark Sales Pavilian.
Article in October 7th, 1937 CC Republican
“First Fair to be held in Fifteen Years”
Carnival was on all sides of the square.The Rodeo was held at the Finley River area.
They had the followed competitions:
Cracker eating contest for boys under 16
- 1st prize $1.40 in trade at shoe shop
- 2nd prize $1 in trade at shoe shop
- 3rd prize $0.75 in trade in shoe shop
100 yard race
Women’s hog calling contest
Apple eating contest for girls under 16
Ladies nail driving contest
Race for men over 50
Article in July 14th, 1938 CC Republican.
“County Fair Incorporated”
Special session of county court being held today for that purpose.
A special session of the county court was held today, Thursday, for the express purpose of hearing the petition of more than 50 residents of Christian County for the incorporation of the Christian County Fair Association, which will be technically known as the Christian County Agricultural and Mechanical Society, this name being required by the state law under the association will be incorporated.
The 50 or more signees were obtained last week by President F.M. Doubt and M.C. Haguewood, after a special committee had obtained about 38 signatures.
At the meeting of the board of directors to be held tonight at the office of the county agent, the committee on a permanent site will make a more detailed report and in all probability some action will be taken on closing the deal for the grounds just south of town.
Joe Major, chairman of the carnival committee, has word from representatives of several carnival companies will be here this week to take up the matter of the contract.
Bruce Maples, Joe Major and John M. Pile, as a special budgeting committee, met Tuesday night and have filed their report with President F.M. Doubt.
The sale of advertising in the catalog is progressing.The committee is working in Springfield this week.
Fair was held on September 1, 2, and 3 in 1938:
Premium List (premiums were about $2 for first prize and $1 for 2nd)
Horses & Mules
Some interesting classes we don’t currently have:
Best 5 gaited horse or mare
Best 3 gaited horse or mare
Best trained horse or mare, any age, all tricks considered
Dairy Cattle
Beef Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
Poultry
Horticulture
Field Crops
Home Economics
Bread, cakes and cookies
Canned products
Textiles
Quilts, spread and rugs
Antiques
Oldest article wearing apparel
Oldest gun or pistol
Oldest collection dishes
Oldest collection coins or bills
Cut flowers
Potted plants
Oliver Amusement Co. was the carnival chosen.They had 6 big rides, 5 big shows and 30 concessions.There was a high double trapeze act that was free attraction twice each day.They appeared in the center of the midway .
Crowds were estimated at 5,000 to 10,000 people.
The Fair Association also presented a circus on September 26th.
Original land purchased was a stip of land 400 ft. north and south and from highway 14 on the east to highway 65 on the west.Contains about 5 to 6 acres.
Article in June 19th, 1947 CC Republican:
“Committees named to sell stock in Christian County Fair Association”
Had to sell 200 share of stock at $10 per share to fund grandstand.Committees from Spokane, Sparta, Nixa, Ozark, McCracken, Garrison, Clever, Billings, Highlandville and Chadwick.
Rodeo bill included for August 14th, 1947 – Buff Lamb was the clown.
Ad for Douglas County Fair in Ava for September 18th to 20th. $1200 in premiums to exhibitors.
Interesting Tidbits from the time 1936, 1937 & 1938.
Old age assistance averaged went up to $16.92 per month in 1938.
Grocery prices advertised in the paper:
Fryers cut for the skillet, spring dressed $0.45 each
Oranges $0.25 dozen
Apples 4 lbs.$0.25
Hamburger $0.15 per lb.
Sausage $0.20 per lb.
Bananas4 lbs.$0.23
Minced ham or bologna2 lbs.$0.25
Jello $0.05 per pkg.
Lard (pure hog) 4lbs.$0.49
Flour 48 lbs.$1.69
Roosevelt was President.
Today’s “shop local” campaign by the Chamber of Commerce was important to the community back then.It was called “cultivate civic consciousness”.
Basketball games for the Ozark High School were held in the Community Building on the square.
Canning plants were located at Sparta, Bruner and Abadyl.They advertised for contracts for tomatoes.
You could buy 3 electrical clocks from Empire District Electric for $13.55.
There was a “for sale” ad in the 1936 CC Republican for a 1927 model Ford Coupe with new tires and new paint.Price was $30.
Tickets at the MOZark theatre in Springfield were $0.10 for kids and $0.16 for adults.
Hanks Chevrolet ad for a 1936 Chevrolet was $495 and up.
This page was last updated on August 1, 2012.
2019 Christian County Fair Board. All rights reserved.
2019 Christian County Fair Board. All rights reserved.
