1836
First Butler County Fair
Hamilton residents would gather around the old courthouse and showcase things such as farming equipment, livestock, and produce. This continued until the Butler County Fair was officially organized in 1851 by the Butler County Agricultural Society.
1843-56
Fair Finds it’s Permanent Location
Originally beginning around the courthouse, the fair moved to a lot on Fourth and Dayton Streets owned by Jacob Hittle in 1843. After the organization of the fair committee in 1851, the fair was moved to an oak grove near the Miami-Erie Canal. A year later, it moved again to Bigham Grove, now known as the eastern side of the Greenwood Cemetery. In 1856, the fair was finally moved to 39 acres at its current location on Fairgrove Avenue.
1913
First Grandstand of it’s Kind
The current grandstand located at the fairgrounds has been standing for over a hundred years, but it is not the original grandstand of the Butler County Fair. The first grandstand was wooden, and in 1913 it was destroyed by a fire. A new grandstand was then constructed, housing 3,000 seats with a $33,000 price tag. This grandstand was made entirely of concrete, and it is thought to be the first of its kind to be built in the United States.
First Fair to Give Awards
The Butler County Fair was the first in the state to give awards for farm exhibitions. Even as far back as the first ‘fair’ in 1836, the Agricultural Society president appointed a committee whose sole responsibility was awarding those premiums to those individuals who proved best in show with produce, animals, and other goods. These days, many young teens earn a pretty penny by selling the animals they raise for the county fair.
2019
The Fair Bounces Back
Many times, the fair has been disrupted by inclement weather, most recently, in 2019 fair got off to a rough start when a storm hit suddenly. Luckily, the fair had not yet begun, but workers were actively setting up for the event when the storm struck. The high winds and heavy rains caused uprooted trees, ticket booths, and even knocked over some of the fair rides. The fair board and many volunteers worked quickly to replace damaged tents and clean up the grounds, and the fair was able to continue on without further incident.
Today’s Butler County Fair
Each year, between 80,000 and 100,000 people visit the Butler County Fair, coming from all over the state. The fair is a large revenue source for over 100 various vendors, generating almost a million dollars in sales. In addition, the money earned at the fair is used to maintain the fairgrounds year-round.