Just what is a fair anyway?  In the 15th to the 17th century the spelling was “Fayre” but leave it to the English language to confuse the issue.  Now we use, confusingly, both “fair” and “fare,” the latter meaning food and drink.  The alternate spelling is old-fashioned and is used in order to remind revelers and participants of medieval “fayres” and markets.

Today the word “FAIR”  means  a gathering of people to display or trade produce and other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy an associated carnival atmosphere. Activ-ities at most county fairs vary widely. 4-H fairs, however, follow strict rules with its participants.  There are many kinds of fairs such as:  science fairs, book fairs, arts & craft fairs, job fairs, street fairs, trade fairs, county fairs, state fairs, carnivals, circuses, and of course the ultimate world fairs.

HISTORY OF THE FAIR
The fair is an ancient tradition which began in Roman times where fairs were holidays on which there was an interval from their daily work.  In later centuries, on any special Christian religious occasion, tradesman would bring and sell their wares, even in churchyards, but not in the church. These then became annual events and usually on the feast day of a patron saint to whom the church was dedicated.

Today in the United States fairs draw nearly 150 million people each summer. The local 4-H fairs now have dedicated fairgrounds and have become a traditional annual event for fair goers.

MARSHALL COUNTY FAIRS
It all started when the Indiana legislature passed a law in 1829 to encourage the organization of a county agricultural society for the advancement of agriculture by awarding premiums for essays on agricultural subjects and for farm exhibits, domestic and mechanical products. In 1855, Marshall County formed such an organization called the “Marshall County Agricultural Society” The first fair was held in that same year which was held on the court house lawn. Livestock was corralled in the yard. The society didn’t have any money or property, but as time went on they purchased the ground where the present Centennial Park is now situated. Because of financial troubles the fair struggled and the ground was sold to William Scofield and John Seltenright who held fairs on their own in 1899. They called it “Farmers and Mechanics Fair.”

THE BOURBON FAIR: It was originally called “Pioneer Farmers’ Club” back in 1872 and was a huge success from its beginning. The first fair was held at the schoolhouse one and one-half miles east of Bourbon in the fall. There was no entry fee and no premiums paid but ribbons were given to designate the best animal or item entered.  Then on August 16, 1891, 35 acres was purchased and by October 1, 1891 a half-mile horse racing track, complete with grandstand, art hall, fruit house, grain and vegetable buildings, stables, pens and fences were erected.

For many years the Bourbon Fair was THE fair to attend in the Michiana area, but in 1964 after a declining attendance and revenue it was decided to sell the grounds to the Tri-Township School Corp and today the site of the Bourbon Fair is part of the Triton School grounds.

BREMEN FAIR:  Began in 1888 and was a full blown fair complete with a 120’ by 24’ exposition hall, long rows of stalls for the horses, swine and sheep pens, poultry coops, areas for current farm machinery were exhibited.  Horse racing seemed to be an integral part of fairs and the Bremen fair was no exception.  On Wednesday of “Fair Week” the children would march from the school to the fair grounds.  The last fair held in Bremen was in 1919 until the Fireman’s Festival resurrected it in the 1940s.

MAXINKUCKEE FAIR: In 1886, Henry Culver offered an indefinite lease on about 40 acres of land for an annual fair to be held on that property.  At least six fairs were held, but after three years without a fair the land reverted to the estate.  For awhile though, the fairs were very successful with exhibits and horse racing. They now hold a Culver Lake Fest.

ARGOS FAIR: In 1918 Argos called their fair the “Farmers and Merchants Fall Festival” the following year the festival was not held because, as some suspect, of an influenza epidemic or it could have been WW I.  However in 1919 a Welcome Home Jubilee for all the returned servicemen was held and the Fall Festival was back on track. The Fall Festival grew and grew and became very successful. Then in 1938 the Argos Lions Club approached the county agent Lyman Butler that they would like to sponsor a 4-H Fair.  Arrangements were made and in 1939 the first 4-H Fair was held and the rest is history.

I realize that this is “fairly” brief information on “fairly” important “fairs” that took place in Marshall County. So “Fare” (there’s that confusion again) – Thee- Well” and hope you had fun at the “Fair.”
POP QUIZ:  More Indiana History   . . . “What famous comedian was born in Vincennes, Indiana?”
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S POP QUIZ:  The question was . . . “What did Richard Gatling, of Indianapolis, invent in 1862?  ANSWER: The rapid-fire machine gun which carries his name . . . The Gatling Gun.

Well, that’s it for now . . . so until next time . . . this is my view from the Pilot house.

Mike Boys is a lifelong Marshall County resident, former newspaper owner and former public officeholder. The dictionary defines a Pilot House as “an enclosed area on the bridge of a ship, from which the vessel is guided.” His views, opinions and news appear occasionally on the Pilot News Opinion page.