THE FAIR
The first Cumberland County Fair was
held in Greenup. In January of 1858 the Cumberland County Agriculture
Society was formed. Michael Ruffner was President, C.
W. Pickering, C. C. Jones and Daniel B. Green were VicePresidents,
James M. Ward was Treasurer, A. G. Caldwell was Recording Secretary and
James LaDow was Corresponding Secretary. Fairs were held in October
1858 and October 1859. The fair was held on an
elevated spot in the north part of town.
In 1860 the fair and exhibits
were moved to the county seat, Prairie City, and not until 1889 was the
fair returned to Greenup.
In 1989 the 100th anniversary will be
celebrated so we can expect another big celebration in Greenup at that
time.
After the fair was returned to
Greenup new officers were elected. They were:
President C. G. Jones, Vice-President Samuel Wisley, Secretary Shannon
Wilson and Treasurer Lewis Decius. These officers
with a board of six directors and eleven or twelve superintendents of
departments, started a fair that has lasted more than ninety years.
However, it takes more than officers,
directors and superintendents to make a successful fair. There must be
exhibits, food stands, racing, entertainment and attenders. A fair
board's efforts would be in vain without the support of all these
others.
With many different fair boards and
officers through the years, the Cumberland County Fair has improved and
progressed to the best fair in Central Illinois and rated as one of the
best in the state.
New buildings have been added to
house more exhibits. 4-H shows and exhibits are now part of the fair.
The Fair Queen Pageant and crowning of a new Cumberland County Fair
Queen each year draws a large crowd, supporting each contestant. There
have been many forms of entertainment: balloon ascentions, ostrich
races, society horse shows, dog and mule races, stage shows, dare
devils and tractor pulling which has been popular several years.
Among the advertisers of the first
fairs were: H. G. Goldsmith, hardware, furniture, stoves, buggies and
harness, Jewett; C. C. Young,
Physician and Surgeon, Jewett; May and Humphrey, dry goods and
clothing, Toledo; O. Morgan, groceries, confectioneries, dried fruits,
Toledo; Charles Hanker, furniture, wallpaper,
queensware and undertaker, Toledo; the Bank of Toledo; Willis Bros.,
Toledo; C. Fuqua and Sons; Bankers in Casey.
Mrs. H. A. Norman, staples and fancy
groceries, notions, etc., Greenup; Mrs. M.A. Ozier,
dealer in notions, fancy goods, hosiery, underwear, curtains,
bedspreads, laces of all kinds, Greenup (Grandmother of Mrs. Star
Miller); Ed Peters, furniture and undertaking, Greenup; Henry Winslow
and Mort James, grain, broomcorn, coal, etc., Greenup; S. J. Troxel,
tinware, Greenup.
Every year more advertisers were
added.
The first merry-go-round was
introduced to the fair in 1893 by Charles Stockbarqer. It was pulled by
a horse on the inside and music was provided by a hand organ. The
merry-go-round was operated by John Fort, assisted by Henry
Roberts. Later Mr. Stockbarger brought to the fair the Ocean Wave
ride.
Mr. Oscar Matteson operated hacks
from town to the fairground. The hack had seats for several
people and was pulled by a team of white horses with sleigh bells
jingling as they raced down the hill to the fair. Another who had a
hack and taxi to the fairground was George W. Neese (Spank) William
Racing has always been a big event at
the Cumberland County Fair. The mile track is
one of the best anywhere near. As today, some
of the horses were owned by Greenup people. Bill Garrett had
running horses and Alec Neal had a harness horse named "Nero" that held
the track record for years. At one time the races were started by
snapping buggy whips. In 1906 Frank James came to Greenup to start the
races. We don't have a record of all those who
started the races, but for many years Jake Tutewiler started the
races from the judges stand across the race track by shouting "go"
through a megaphone. If they didn't get started in the right position,
he rang a bell similar to a dinner bell and the horses were brought
back to start again. Sometimes they were brought back
several times before getting the right start which was very tiring to
the spectators.
For the spectators to view and enjoy
the races, an amphitheater was built in the early years of the fair.
Another amphitheater was built to the west of the first
amphitheater. About 1917 or 1918 the old amphitheater
was torn down and a new one constructed. Several
years later an additon was connected on the east.
It is impossible to name all those
who have contributed to the fair but P. J. Bowman spent so many years
as President that he became known by all who attended the fair.
J. A. Campbell was Treasurer
for many years and had a perfect record at the fair from 1906 until his
death in 1957.
Fred Wylde was a faithful supporter
for many years. Several others attended the fair every year from the
time they were babies until they were old; having a record of 60 or 70
years or more.
February, 1895 - Cumberland County
Fair is six years old in its permanent site. At a
directors' meeting it was decided to purchase an amphitheater at the
cost of $850 from Ed Elstun. The Association is clear of all
indebtedness on all other buildings.
Ellen Decker
COUNTY FAIR OPENS
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
Toledo
Democrat, Thursday, August 14, 1952
1875 CUMBERLAND
FAIR
RACING PROGRAM
QUITE DIFFERENT FROM TODAY'S FEATURE
Those
who
visited the fair grounds
Monday could see workers busily engaged in improvements on the
buildings, grounds and the race track, getting everything in A-l
shape for the Cumberland County Fair, August 18 to 23.
For sake of contrast we hark back to
the 1875 county fair.
The premium list for that year
claimed the county had a population of over 15,000.
The census of 1870 gave the
population of the townships as follows:
Greenup, 1893;
Sumpter, 1446;
Crooked
Creek, 981;
Cottonwood, 1342;
Woodbury,
1064;
Neoga, 1745;
Spring Point, 833;
Union,
1835.
We find under the rules and
regulations that "all animals and all articles must possess positive
merit, otherwise no premiums will be awarded". Also, "No person will be
permitted to have his name on his stock or other
articles until after the judges have made their
awards."
A first premium of $I.00, a
second premium of 50 cents is offered in Dept. 3,
Class 2, on the following agricultural implements: best
plow, sub-soil plow, implement for cutting corn, cornstalk
cutter, field roller, straw cutter, harrow,
two-horse wageon, open buggy, single top buggy, two-horse
top buggy, spring wagon.
The racing program was as follows:
Green Trotting, 2 best in 3. No horse
allowed in this ring that has ever made a mile in public in 3 1/4
minutes.
Fastest $15 first, $10 second.
Green pacing, fastest $15 and $10.
Trotting 3 year olds, $15 and $10.
Cumberland County 3 year olds, $15
and $10.
Fast Trotting.
Trotting stallions, geldings or mares, best 2 heats in 3 to go
alone.
Fastest trotting, 1st $30, 2nd
$20, 3rd $10.
Fast Pacing. Pacing
stallions, geldings or mares, best 2 in 3, to go alone, $15.
Running race, three best in 5, 1st
$50, 2nd $30, 3rd $20.
Two year old colt race, 1st
$15, 2nd $10, 3rd $5. Mule race, 1 mile, $10.
TRACK IN A-1 CONDITION
The racing course is in top
condition and the drainage is perfect. Should you wonder if there will
be racing you can bet your bottom dollar nothing but a cloudburst at
racing time will stop the program. The track is so
constructed that the water leaves at once.
HARNESS RACING PURSES,
$11,800.00
The harness racing program this year
will feature again the Illinois Trotting and Pacing Colt Stakes Assn.
races, for both 2 and 3 year old colts. The four
races will carry a purse of $1250 each of the 4 races will be in excess
of $5,000 should It be necessary to split the divisions in the event
over 10 start. In addition, there will be 8 overnight
harness races.
MOBILE STARTING
GATE
Harness horses again this year will
be started by the John Dale Starting Gate, which this fair has been
using for the past few years. This is one of the
truly great developments in the Harness Racing Sport, which is
America's fastest growing sport.
HEAVY RUNNING PURSES
Running race purses are one of the
heaviest of the Illinois county fairs. There will be thirteen,
including the Cumberland County Derby for which there is a purse
of $500. This 1 1-8 mile race will be run Saturday afternoon. A large
field of runners are expected with horses from several states.
STARTING
GATE FOR RUNNERS
Running horses will be started out of
an 8-stall starting gate owned and operated by Mr. Page of Mt. Vernon,
who is a licensed starter from the mutual tracks.
Thus there will be no delay in
getting the horses started. Jim Hodge of Fairfield, Ill., has
been employed as announcer for the races.
HAVE PHOTO
FINISH FOR ALL THE RACES
There will be no question as to how
the horses place this year as a photo finish machine will be used for
the racing. This unique camera catches every horse at
the wire and with the line across the picture it is easily noted as to
what horse won and it even separates the entire field.
Photos of the many races will be
available for the public's view so be sure to look these pictures over.
MANY BLANKETS AND
TROPHIES
Blankets and trophies will be awarded
to the various race winners in the Harness Racing. In the two and three
year old events the trophies will be awarded to the horse standing best
in the summary while in the other events it will be given to the horse
winning the fastest heat of the race. Trophies and blankets are
being awarded by the following: Fred Wylde memorial trophy for 2 year
old trot; Toledo Business Men for 2 year old pace; Neoga Business Men
for 3 year old pace; Lowal Ragon for free for all trot; Dave
Glenn, president of the Fair, for 3 year old trot; Mac Oil Co. for free
for all pace; Ettelbrick Shoe Co. for the Cumberland County Derby.
COLT
RACES DRAW A LARGE ENTRY
This year the fair drew the largest
number of 2 and 3 year old colts that has ever been the privilege of
presenting to the public. 86 made their second payment. Of these,
52 were pacing colts and 34 were trotters. 27 - 3 year old pacers
made their second payment and 15 - 3 year old trotters stayed
eligible. This represents an increase of about 50 per cent over
any previous year.
Colts have named from Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, and California.
FINE GRANDSTAND SEATS
AT THE PAIR
Cumberland County Fair has one of the
finest grandstands in the state. At most of the county fairs
patrons pay 50 cents just to sit on a board. At the Cumberland Pair
patrons pay 50 cents and get a comfortable chair in which to
sit. The new grandstand seats 2000 people.
For several years all other county
fairs have discontinued free grandstands, owing to the higher costs of
operating fairs.
Since the sidewalls from the main
grandstand to the stage across the track has been eliminated and
considering the fact that on the percentage shows our contracts will
not hold good without a charqe on all grandstand seats, it becomes
necessary that a smal 1 charge of 20 cents be made on the seats in the
old grandstand.
MOVE BANDSTAND TO
INDEPENDENT MIDWAY
The bandstand has been moved from the
centerfield to the independent midway. It will be
used to house a display of art and agriculture by the Cumberland County
schools under the supervision of Wayne Hance, County Superintendent.
The County Nurse, the Sheriff,
and John Roberts, state police, will also have their headquarters
there. Around the building on 3 sides will be seats for elderly people.
TRAINED NURSE
Facilities to take care of accidents
and illness on the fair grounds during fair week, Aug. 18 to 23, will
be in charge of the County Nurse, Mrs. Vera Hickum.
COUNTY 4-H CLUBS
TO SHOW TUESDAY
Tuesday will have plenty of
activities for 4-H members and leaders, both agricultural and home
economics.
Persons interested in livestock
should be on the fairgrounds
no later than 10:00 A.M. for the judging of the hogs, sheep and
rabbits. In the afternoon the beef and dairy cattle will be
judged.
This year the bulk of the 4-H
projects has been purebred heifers and there are many entries. You'll
see many fine, well groomed animals and proud young owners showing them
off for the judges. A livestock parade before the
grandstand will take place around 4:00 p.m.
4-H FOOD STAND
All the 4-H clubs are working
together at a food stand on the fair grounds. This is their first
venture in this field. They'll appreciate your dropping by when you're
thirsty or want some ice cream and cake.
BOOTHS AT THE FAIR
The Home Bureau, 4-H
Clubs, Boy Scouts and V.F.N, will have a tent or booth on the
fair grounds.
PROGRAMS
Monday Night - Free Talent Show in
front of big FREE Grandstand (Sponsored by Greenup Chamber
of Commerce)
Tuesday Night - NLS Barn Dance Show in celebration of it's 38th
anniversary has arranged a limited tour of this popular radio show.
With a galaxy of new stars (including Patsy Montana, America's No. 1
Singing Cowgirl) of comedy, song and dance, the National Barn
Dance is coming to the Cumberland County Fair. There are many
interesting features of the new Barn Dance Show, but the main and
original idea remains—rustic comedy and music in the setting of a
hayloft. It is vaudeville up-to-date,
interspersed with novelty features of the highest standard.
Wednesday Night - Lucky Lee Lott Hell Drivers - the deliberate
demolishing of a stock model, obsolete automobile in an end-over-end
and side-over-side roll with the daredevil clinging to the steering
wheel will be one of the highlights of the thrill
show. The crash roll will likely be executed by "Mac"
Kelly, an Ohio Irishman who saw service in Saipan. Other
highlights include the Slide for Life, the Race of Death, the
Motorcycle Leap Over A Car, the Tee Bone Crash and many others too
numerous to mention.
Thursday Night - Big Variety Show including the famed LeRoy
Brothers, America's most celebrated puppeteers - Ray Terry, a
young man who literally built his future on a ladder of dreams - Patine
and Rosa, outstanding acrobatic and novelty team - and many other
headline performances.
Friday Night - Big Variety
Show including Charles Goesel, celebrated trainer and his five wonder
dogs; a Fox Terrier, German Shepherd, Miniature Pincher, Black and Tan
Terrier and a Dachshund - Hilkey and Dare, a boy and girls team of
comedy knock-about loaded with a unique talent of tossing and
acrobatics in which the use of reverse technique—of the girl tossing
the boy over the stage - Hank Sieman, ventriloquist extraordinary
and wooden-headed but brilliant pal, Archie - Popular pantomimic
team of Ricky and Rooney; Ricky is also a sensational tap dancer and
Miss Rooney equally sensational impersonator.
Saturday Night - Western Horse Show
including 9 classes of Western Horse Show Exhibits
JOAN WOOD
Pictured is "Joan Wood" the first
Cumberland County pacing mare to win the Illinois Colt Stakes at
Springfield, Illinois for 3 year olds. She is shown with driver
Burress Tackett of Newton, Harry C. Wood her owner and
trainer and W. E. "Woody" Freeman both of Greenup. Mr. Wood
and Mr. Freeman both served on the Greenup Cumberland County Fair Board for many
years. Mr. Freeman was instrumental in organizing the Top Line Colt
Stakes, which are still an annual event at our fair.
12TH COUNTY FAIR
1900-Gate receipts at the 12th County
Fair on Saturday were the best in the fair's history $1,181.85 as
compared to 1899 Saturday receipts of $1,059.70; 1898 of $861.30 and
1897 of $1,108.
Total gate receipts for 1900 Fair
$2,033.54.
Source Julibee County History Book
