The history of the Chemung County Fair begins with the
Chemung County Agricultural Society.
Formed in September 1842, the society was to meet annually in October “for the purpose of holding the regular fair
and exhibition of domestic animals, manufactured articles of the farm and
garden and agricultural implements.”
The first fair was held in October 1842.
During that fair cash prizes were given in a variety of divisions
including horses, cattle, pigs, butter and cheese, grain crops, fruit, silk
agricultural implements and household productions.
Unfortunately, after 1842 there are gaps in the fair records. Though we may not know the exact dates of
the fairs, we do know the locations. Early fairs were held in Horseheads. In 1871 400 acres of land between Elmira and
Horseheads (the area where Anchor Glass is currently located) was secured for
the fairgrounds. Twenty-one years later
the fair moved to its current location in Horseheads.
Of course, county fairs were not the only fairs held in the
county. Between 1841 and 1889 the New
York State Fair was held annually throughout the state. Host cities included Syracuse, Albany,
Rochester, Poughkeepsie, Utica, Buffalo, New York City, Watertown and
Elmira. In fact, Elmira hosted the state
fair nine times in 1855, 1860, 1869, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881, 1884, and
1889. Over the years two locations were
used for the state fair – East Water Street (where Kennedy Valve is currently
located) or the Maple Avenue Driving Park (now Dunn Field). In 1890 the state fair moved permanently to
Syracuse.
Between 1889 and 1891 the Interstate Fair (a joint effort
between New York and Pennsylvania) was held at the Maple Avenue Driving Park.
This week marks the 170th Annual Chemung County
Fair. If you happen to be at the fair,
please stop at our booth in the Commercial Building!
Good information. Great pictures! Thank you.
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