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

Monday Through Saturday

For The 2010 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)

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. 

CLICK HERE FOR 2009 FAIR QUEEN PAGEANT OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK

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.

Contact Us For Current Rates.