WELCOME TO YOUR MARION COUNTY, IL. FAIR

See you at the 71st ANNUAL

MARION COUNTY

AGRICULTURE FAIR

in 2011!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 2010 MARION COUNTY AGRICULTURE FAIR!

This Site Updated August 27, 2010 9:34 P.M.

Thank you for your interest in the Marion County Agriculture Fair. The buttons on the top of each page and information on down this home page will direct you to specific areas about the fair and fairgrounds. Should you have any questions or are unable to find information you are looking for, please feel free to contact us at the fair office. Phone number is 618-548-1251 , mailing address is P.O. Box 21, Salem, Illinois, 62881 E-mail mcagfair@sbcglobal.net

21st Antique Power Days September 9 - 12

Southern Illinois Antique Power Club

Visit Web Site www.antiquepowerdays.com

See you at the DuQuoin State Fair...Now Playing!

www.agr.state.il.us./dq/

We are now on FACEBOOK Become our Friend!

2010 PKC World Championship Coon Hunt Is Returning To Salem October 21 - 30!

PKC Fall Super Stakes Championship

Youth World Championship and World Championship

www.prohound.com/

The 2010 Miss Marion County Fair Queen

Darcy Phillips

FUN FUN FUN..... LITTLE EGYPT SHOWS ON THE MIDWAY AGAIN FOR THE 2010 MARION COUNTY FAIR!

Monday Aug. 2nd Through Saturday Aug. 7

ARMBAND NIGHTS MONDAY THRU SATURDAY - $15:00

(5:00 P.M. TO 11:00 P.M.)

TICKETS $2.00 (1 TICKET PER RIDE, PER PERSON)

animatedpoppingcorn.gif (8120 bytes)

Events held at the 2010 Marion County Fair:

Demolition Derby, Fair Queen Pageant, Little Miss Pageant, Tractor Pulls, (ITPA, NTPA) MOTO Cross, Rodeo, Harness Racing, Draft Horse Pull, Talent Contest, Animal Exhibits, Livestock Judging, 4-H activities, Craft Exhibits, Local Business Booths, Lots of FOOD! Ground Entertainment, Music, Little Egypt Shows on the MIDWAY, Games, Children Activities And Much More!

This was the 2010 Ground Entertainment at the Fair!

Monday......Lex Shuler 7 - 9 P.M.

Tuesday......Vintage Jam 7 - 9 P.M. and

Rusty Strings Dulcimer Club playing in the Exhibit Building....6 -7:30 P.M.

Wednesday......Severed Society Band (Rock) 7 - 9 P.M.

Thursday.....Jack's 'R' Better 7 - 9 P.M.

Friday.....Fred's Pickin' Parlor Featuring Don Lampley and Jamie Nattier 7 - 9 P.M.

2010 Busy Year At The Marion County Fair Grounds:

Relay for Life......Shrine Circus.......Marion County Fair....Cub Scout Campout.....Farm Safety Day......Raccoon Ramblers Camping Club....Antique Power Club Show.....Airstream Campers......Horse Shoeing School....K9 Training......PKC World Championship Coon Hunt.....and year round Exhibit Building Rental....2010 a very busy year!

www.relayforlifeofsalem.com

The Marion County Fair Exhibit Building can be rented for Wedding Receptions, Family Reunions and Meetings....Contact the Fair Office at 618-548-1251

Member of the - Greater Salem Chamber Of Commerce... www.salemilchamber.com/welcome.htm

Old Time Black And White Clips Of The Marion County Agriculture Fair

While At The 2010 Marion County Fair, Visit The Southern Illinois Antique Power Club Exhibit Building.

Salem's Overnight Accommodations: Stay Over Night During Events At The Fairgrounds!

Badollet House Bed and Breakfast: 310 North Washington, Phone 618-548-3412

Comfort Inn: 1800 West Main Street, Phone 618-548-2177

Continental Motel: 1600 East Main Street, Phone 618-548-3090

Salem Inn: 1812 West Main Street, Phone 618-548-4212

Super 8 Motel: 118 Woods Lane, Phone 618-548-5882

DID YOU KNOW

No interest in fairs before the 1850's, no way to get produce to market, few railroads and good roads.

In 1858, the Illinois State Fair was held in Centralia and Central City.

The first annual fair in Marion County was held in 1855 in Salem in Tully Park. After 1855, the fair was held in different places around the county....Centralia, Central City, Kinmundy, Alma, Patoka and Salem.

The fair was cancelled in 1862 do to the 111th Illinois Volunteers training in the park before leaving for the Civil War.

In 1887, the fair was cancelled because of drought and clinch bugs eating the crops.

1896, William Jennings Bryan was running for President, no fair was held.

In 1909, the Fair Board gave the fairgrounds to the City of Salem to be used as a park. After 1909, the fair was held in different places around the county and was known by different names: County Fair, Farmers Institute and Farmers and Teacher Institute.

In 1939, the fair was held in Salem just west of the court house. The Garden Produce and Handmade Articles exhibited in the Armory which is the Moose Club Building now.

In 1940, the fair was held in Bryan Park with the Garden Produce and Handmade articles exhibited in the new Armory on College Street.

On December 5, 1940, Businessman Bob Hancock and a interested group of people petitioned the County Board of Supervisors for the establishment of a fairgrounds. 250 letters were sent out to farmers, businessmen, 4-H leaders and FFA leaders to back the effort. On March 13, 1940, the Board of Supervisors voted to purchase the Salem Airport (Located at current fairgrounds) and 20 adjoining acres for a permanent home for the Marion County Fair for a total of 65 acres.

On April 14, 1941, a group of businessmen and farmers met at the Marion County Court House and organized the Marion County Agricultural Fair Association. The first officers of the fair were: President - E.E. Ervin Vice President - J.V. Davis Secretary - C. Glen Jones Treasurer - O.A. James The first fair was held on August 19 - 23, 1941.

In 1949, the Fair Board bought the fairgrounds from the county.

In 1987, Marion County Fair Queen Lori Vaughn won the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.

On April 19, 1996 the fairgrounds was hit by a Tornado destroying much of the fairgrounds, horse barns, exhibit building, grandstand roof, fair office and electrical systems. The board was able to put it back together and opened the 1996 Fair on time.

Well, you now know about the fairs history, thanks for attending the past fairs, we look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Marion County Fair.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio LIVE on the Alma Weather Station Web Site.

Click Here > www.almaweather.com