68TH  ANNUAL 

MARION  COUNTY

AGRICULTURE     FAIR

July 25 - august 2, 2008

THIS SITE UPDATED MAY 10, 2008   7:41 A.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

WELCOME RACCOON RAMBLERS CAMPING CLUB COMING BACK MAY 16 -17 -18  2008

 

Shriners Circus Coming To The Marion County Fairgrounds     June  5 - 6

Old Time Black And White Clips Of The 2007 Marion County Agriculture Fair 

 

 
Colored Pictures Of The 2007 Fair On Photo Page

 

 

LITTLE EGYPT SHOWS ON THE MIDWAY

 MON. JULY 28 - SAT. AUGUST 2, 2008

ARMBAND NIGHTS MONDAY THRU SATURDAY - $15:00

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

TICKETS $1.50 (1 TICKET PER RIDE, PER PERSON)

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 Marion County Fair Queen 

Dani Lewis Of Salem

 

2008 Marion County Fair Ground Entertainment 

          Monday, July 28 - Vantage Jam                                      7:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.    

     Tuesday, July 29 - Amanda Sheridan & Thunder          7:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.

Wednesday, July 30 - Lex Shuler                                         7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

   Thursday, July 31 - Fred's Pickin Parlor                         7:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.

     Friday, August 1 - Jennifer Thompson & Wanted         7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                

Bring Your Lawn chair, Relax, Enjoy!  

 

 

 

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

 

 

                                                                 

 

Southern Illinois Antique Power Club

Visit Web Site www.antiquepowerdays.com 

 

 

Events at your 2008 Marion County Fair:

 Events For The 2008 Marion County Fair: Demolition Derby, Fair Queen Pageant, Little Miss Pageant, Tractor Pulls, (ITPA, NTPA) MOTO Cross, Rodeo, Horse Racing, Go Kart Racing, Draft Horse Pull, Talent Contest, Animal Exhibits, Livestock Judging, 4-H activities, Craft Exhibits, Local Business Booths, Lots of FOOD! Little Egypt Shows on the MIDWAY,  Games, Children Activities And Much More

   While At The 2008 Marion County Fair,  Visit The Southern Illinois Antique Power Club Exhibit Building. 

We Look Forward To Seeing You At 2008 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.

 

 

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

Click Here >  www.almaweather.com 

 

                                                          

 

 

 

 

Building and Grounds Rental:

Contact Us For Current Rates.

 

Camper Pads Available Daily or Weekly, Click here for Information.
 

 

MARION COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR LINKS

 

 

Illinois Department of Agriculture

 

St. Louis NWS Radar Image

 

WJBD Radio 100.1 FM 1350 AM

 

Salem Department of Emergency Management

 

National Tractor Pullers Association  www.ntpapull.com 

                                                                      

Illinois Tractor Pullers Association (ITPA)

 

  Illinois State Fair

 

  DuQuoin State Fair CLICK >  www.agr.state.il.us/dq/  

 

Our E-Mail Address Is  mcagfair@sbcglobal.net 

 

We Hope To See You At The 2008 Fair!

© COPYRIGHT 2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED MARION COUNTY, IL. AGRICULTURAL FAIR ASSOCIATION