
One September day in 1856 a group of pioneers held the first fair in Viroqua's main street.
Fair (according to the Webster’s New World Dictionary), derived from the Latin feria, festival, and akin to festial, feast, 1. a gathering of people held at regular intervals for barter and sale of goods 2. a festival or carnival where there is entertainment and things sold, often for charity bazaar 3. an exhibition of often competitive, of farm, household, and manufactured products, or of international displays, usually with various amusement facilities and educational displays; exposition.
Fair (according to Vernon County citizens), 1. the best in the state 2. great food 3. family picnics and prize-winning exhibits 4. numerous people sacrificing time and talents to make it possible 5. lots of fun and fond memories 6. harness racing and exciting time.
All of these are accurate of the Vernon County Fair, one of the oldest county fairs in the state. However, you cannot get the full scope of the event until you delve into the long and varied history of the 166-year old extravaganza.
One September day in 1856 a group of pioneers held the first fair in Viroqua’s main street. Their goals was to exhibit the agricultural opportunities here, thereby drawing new business and commerce into the area. Little did they know their idea would blossom into a five-day spectacular that would eventually draw over 6,000 exhibitors and upwards of 25,000 spectators!
The “grounds” were on a vacant lot, now the site of Felix’s clothing store, adjacent to the court house. Here were shown 2 stallions, 3 bulls and 2 cows, while inside the courthouse were displays featuring 3 woven rugs, some patchwork quilts, and a few jars of home-churned butter and sorghum and maple syrup. Visitors to the one-day fair enjoyed two events: a morning plowing match on the field of Moses Decker, Viroqua’s founding citizen, and an afternoon speech by school teacher Hartwell Allen. Between events people could enjoy lemonade and stick candy, the only concessions sold.
On April 11 of the following year, the nation’s first Agricultural Society was founded in Viroqua and the fair began to grow by leaps and bounds.
In 1858 a 10-acre plot just west of what is now Eckhart Park was purchased as the new fairgrounds.
The land bought complete with 10-foot high fence around the perimeter, a 1/2-mile race track and money to build a floral hall, cost the society $800.00. That year horse racing was introduced, spurred on by F.M. Minshall, who lost to Annias Smith. The third horse and jockey conceded the race to Smith and Minshall, remaining on the sidelines after the first round.
The races, however, were banned in 1888 until the Ag Society found itself $6,800 in debt by 1890, due to poor attendance during three race less years.
In 1891 Minshall became president of the society and promptly reinstated the sorely missed races.
They have been run every year since. Minshall’s new Kentucky Trotter, “Vernon”, who could run a 30-second 1/4-mile, debuted that year, Vernon raced for 11 years. After that he was annually trotted around the fairgrounds to the cheers of fairgoers, until his death at the ripe age of 33. A 10-cent bus ride took you from the Hotel Fortney to the 1891 fair at its new and present location. The 22 1/2-ace site was purchased from Col. C. M. Butt for $100 per acre. The first buildings to be erected were an art hall, the grandstand and cattle barns. Fair admission was 10 cents and taking one’s girl on the bus to the north fairgrounds became the mark of a true gentleman.
1897 - The fair was extended to four days.
The fair of 1900 was marked by novelty and innovation sponsored by Viroqua business community. Outstanding amongst the attractions was the wedding of Oscalia Kjelhung to Albert Thrune (both of Coon Valley). The ceremony, performed on the platform in front of the grandstands and presided over by Rev. John Steman, was witnessed by nearly 3,000 onlookers. Among the gifts the Viroqua businesses furnished were wedding attire for the bride, groom and attendants; a bridal procession carriage and band; house wares; a 10-pound pail of lard; a box of Even Change cigars; one-day’s entertainment at the Hotel Fortney; and a trip to Chicago. Other contests that year were: Biggest shoe size (Thomas Silbaugh, Avalanche – size 11); smallest shoe size (J.W.Potts,Viola – size 1 1/2); largest family in attendance (Simon Mockrud, Westby – 118 members); and outstanding farmer (Henry Hopp). Margaret Morse was voted “prettiest girl,” a precursor to The Fairest Of The Fair, which didn’t become an official contest until 1973.
These early fairs were characterized by other featured events such as bicycle races, foot races, farmer wrestling matches, and such exotic attractions as Japanese acrobats, elephant rides, balloonist and circus acts. Baseball games were always an integral part of the festivities with teams participating from towns all over the county and surrounding areas, including La Crosse and Onalaska. Cash awards always drew stiff competition. Speeches were also a very popular attraction. In fact there was a premium given to the best orator. In those days the premiums were distributed at the close of the fair, when the secretary would stand on a platform and call out the names of the winners, handing them their awards from the fair proceeds.
1903
1906
1911
1915
1921
The first 4-H livestock show as initiated in 1921 by agricultural teacher Richard A. Power. Beginning with 3 calves at the first exhibit, the 4-H division has become a veritable fair-within-a-fair with 5,522 exhibitors this year.
1950
1952
1956
1962
1966
1967
The John Krause Memorial Building was constructed in 1967 and dedicated in September in memory of the long standing 4-H leader.
1973
1973
In 1973 three pole barns where built side by side west of the New Youth Arena. They were put up by Brickl Construction of Onalaska for a cost of $15,000.00.
1975
1976-1977
1981
1983
1989
1990
1991
Oscar the largest living steer was shown in 1991, with a charge of $1.00 to see him. He lived in Pine Island, MN, weighs 4,000 lbs, 12 feet long and 6 feet tall.
1993
1996
2001
2006
2008
The Crops Building was renamed the Helen Hornby Crops Building in honor of long time advocate for the fair, superintendents, former fair board member and 4-H alumni Helen Hornby.
2011
In the summer of 2011, the Senior Building received a new concrete floor and was painted.
2018 - Vernon County Flood Relief Fund
In 2018, the Vernon County Fair due to its supporters added charitable giving for Vernon County flood victims as another way it gives back to the community.
Thanks to Fair supporters and the generosity of organizations, events, and activities at the Vernon County Fair $28,000 was generated for flood relief. The donations were given by the following:
On Wednesday and Sunday, the Vernon County Fair Board made the giving decision to offer free admittance to the fair. This opportunity was to invite everyone in the community, especially those families that were impacted by the flood and those that helped flood victims to enjoy some free, fair fun as a way to step away from the challenges faced. This was a $6,000 in-kind donation due to reduced fair admissions. This in-kind donation is not included in the $28,000 total.
Karly Anderson the daughter of Rob and Kari Anderson, Westby, WI showed a Holstein dairy heifer at the fair that survived the flood in Timber Coulee. The heifer was found I .5 miles downstream from her original pasture location. It was her father Rob’s idea for Karly to “present” the animal at the close of the Dairy Ribbon Sale on Saturday night which generated $20,000 due to the generosity of businesses and individuals. As the bidding for the flood relief continued, the generosity of these businesses and individuals’ stacked up to reach $20,000.
– One percent of the gross sale dollars from Saturday night’s Meat Animal Sale went to flood relief.
– The Viroqua Lions donated I% of their food stand sales during the entire fair to flood relief.
– The offering at the Sunday church service held on the fairgrounds totaled $907.00, and the Fair Board matched that and rounded up the donation to $2,000.00.
The $28,000 in donations were taken to The Bethel Buttik in Westby where a farm supply and a general public account were established as well as to Vernon County banks set up for flood relief donations. The Vernon County Fair Board is grateful toward the multitude of contributions toward the $28,000 for flood relief.
Conclusion
Vernon County has much to be proud. Since 1856, all that time, despite wars, drought, snow and rain, the Agricultural Society has never failed to hold an annual event. There has never been any great tragedies (with the possible exception of the 1911 plane mishap, though no one was seriously hurt), attendance continues to grow as the result of long hours and hard work by those who are committed to making the event the highlight of the year – year after year. The Vernon County Fair is now acclaimed as one of the oldest county fairs in Wisconsin.
Who can say what spectacles await us this year as we continue to make history at the best fair in the state.
Come join us and “experience” a truly Great County Fair.