Then & Now: Grundy County Fair – Mazon

Beginning in the early 19th century, the first agricultural fairs in America gave rural citizens the opportunity to see the latest agricultural technology, techniques, equipment, crops and livestock, all of which were useful for the local farmer.

Over time, these agricultural fairs began to incorporate other activities for rural families, including recreational, educational, competitive and social activities into their festivities. By the 1880s, the county and state fairs became a popular annual event and local tradition.

In the Midwest, the county fair would be a reflection of the local interests and values of the surrounding community.

Fairs were often a welcome distraction from the normally quiet rural life of most Americans. Soon, fairs became highly anticipated events in many counties and states. Many farm families even planned their schedules around the fair in order to attend and work there.

For many people who attended the annual event, the fairs would mark the first opportunity to witness electric lights, hot air balloons and even airplanes. Other unique inventions also were on display at county and state fairs, including washing and sewing machines, printing presses and stereoscopic pictures.

In time, entertainment became an important component of both county and state fairs, especially during what is known as the golden age of agriculture fairs (1870 to 1910).

At some fair locations, one-half-mile oval tracks were constructed for harness and horse racing, which become extremely popular by the turn of the century. Trotting and pacing competitions, bicycle races and eventually automobile races took place around these same tracks. Fair organizers often even built grandstands to accommodate the large crowds that would come to see the races and performances.

In the early decades of the 20th century, the postcard provided an exciting attraction to county fairgoers across America. Real photograph postcards were often taken “while you wait” and featured the fairgrounds, crowd scenes, the grandstands or other unique features seen at the fair. This was the time that counties had set aside land as a permanent, lasting site for these annual events.

Locally, citizens and farmers of Mazon came together and held a colt show on the main street of the town in 1904. This colt show proved to be such a success that the next year this same group of people bought a plot of land northwest of town and incorporated the Grundy County Agricultural Fair.

Over the past 100 years, the Grundy County Fair has grown because of the hard work and dedication of many people. For nearly 65 years, the fair was located in Mazon. Beginning in 1971, the fair was moved to its current location north of Morris.