WELCOME TO YOUR MARION COUNTY, IL. FAIR

2009

69TH ANNUAL

MARION COUNTY

AGRICULTURE FAIR

SATURDAY July 25 - Saturday August 1

EXHIBIT BUILDING ENTRIES

FRIDAY JULY 24 - 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

SATURDAY JULY 25 - 9:00 A.M. TO 12 NOON

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

This Site Updated June 26, 2009 4:06 P.M.

MARION COUNTY AGRICULTURE FAIR RESERVE TICKETS FOR ALL EVENTS GO ON SALE JULY 13, 2009 AT THE FAIR OFFICE....HOURS: 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. YOU CAN CALL THE FAIR OFFICE AT 618-548-1251 FOR MORE INFORMATION

KIDS DAY at the FAIR.....July, 27.....Kids Day Link top of this page

15 Entries for the 2009 Marion County Fair/WJBD Radio TALENT CONTEST.....5 Senior - 10 Jr.

Events at your 2009 Marion County Fair:

Demolition Derby, Fair Queen Pageant, Little Miss Pageant, Tractor Pulls, (ITPA, NTPA) MOTO Cross, Rodeo, Horse 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!

THE 2008 MARION COUNTY FAIR QUEEN

MALLORY BORGER OF SALEM

LITTLE MISS AND FAIR QUEEN PAGEANT...TUESDAY JULY 2 8, 2009!

CLICK HERE FOR 2009 FAIR QUEEN PAGEANT OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK

The Professional Kennel Club (PKC) World Coon Hunt Coming to Salem October 21-31, 2009 At the Marion County Fairgrounds!

PKC Fall Super Stakes Championship, Youth World Championship, and World Championship

More information on NEWS Page

www.prohound.com/

ATTENTION CAMPER CLUBS...NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK YOUR CAMPOUT FOR THE SEASON HERE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS!

www.relayforlifeofsalem.com

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 2009 RELAY FOR LIFE AND SOME PICTURES FROM THE 2008 RELAY FOR LIFE.

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

This Years County Fair Ground Entertainment!

Monday July 27....Amanda Sheridan& Thunder 7:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.

www.amandasheridan.com

Tuesday July 28....Lex Shuler 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

www.lexshuler.com

Wednesday July 29....Carla Linder 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Thursday July 30...."Jacks-R-Better" 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Friday July 31...Fred's Pickin' Parlor Featuring Don Lampley and Jamie Nattier 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

VISIT THE PHOTO AND VIDEO PAGES TO VIEW THE ACTIVITIES AT 2008 MARION COUNTY FAIR!

Colored Pictures Of The 2008 Fair On Photo Page

LITTLE EGYPT SHOWS ON THE MIDWAY

Monday Through Saturday

For The 2009 Marion County Fair!

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)

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

Southern Illinois Antique Power Club

Visit Web Site www.antiquepowerdays.com

THE 20TH ANNUAL ANTIQUE POWER DAYS 09/11/09 TO 09/13/09

Horseshoer School Sept. 25 - 26

While At The 2009 Marion County Fair, Visit The Southern Illinois Antique Power Club Exhibit Building.

We Look Forward To Seeing You At The FAIR!

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.

AIRSTREAM CAMPER CLUB CAMPOUT OCTOBER 9-11

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

Click Here > www.almaweather.com