| The Clark
County Fair will celebrate its 137th year in 2005. That means the Fair is 21 years
older than the State of Washington! Our history shows that the community built these
fairgrounds, and it is the community who continues to make the Fair a success. A
showcase for the county's rich agricultural heritage, the
Clark County Fair has grown into the largest single-location annual event in the
Vancouver/Portland area. Voted Clark County's "Best Outdoor
Event/Festival" by The Columbian newspaper reader poll for
three consecutive years, the Clark County Fair has truly become "Summer's Best Party!"
CHECK OUT THESE FAST
FACTS OF HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS, BOTH PAST & PRESENT:
u The
first Clark County Fair was held on October 21, 1868, in Esther Short Park in downtown
Vancouver, the oldest public square in Washington State. Just as today, there were
plenty of animal and agricultural exhibits, but there was also horse racing. The
fastest horse won $100!
u The Clark County Fair was held at the Battle Ground Fairgrounds
from 1946 to 1954. It was moved to its present location in Ridgefield in 1955.
Initially, the Fair occupied 20 acres. Today, the fairgrounds total 175
acres.
u In 1972 the Fair expanded from four to six days. Twelve
years later in 1984, it increased to seven days. Each year following, the Fair
expanded until the first full 10 day Fair was held August 7-16, 1987.
u In the 135 year history of the Clark County Fair, the only time
the Fair wasn't held was from 1942 to 1944 following the outbreak of World War II.
However, there were some small community 4-H shows during that time.
u The Livestock Building, or "E" Building as it's often
called (because it's shaped like an "E"), was built in 1957. It was the
first permanent building built on the fairgrounds. Its construction was funded
through a community effort of livestock sales, raffles, auctions and donations. Some
exhibitors even gave back their premium money to support the effort!
u The Clark County Dairy
Women's Booth (where all those delicious milkshakes are made) was built in 1959. At
that time there were over 200 dairies in Clark County. Today there are less than 10.
u The Fair's grandstand was built in 1984 for $1.3 million.
Some of the performers that year were Loretta Lynn, Glenn Campbell and the Osmond
Brothers. The amazing fact is that the workers were rushing to complete the project
prior to opening on the Fair's first day!
u If you think it's a bit dusty at the Fair now, imagine what it
must have been like before the midway was paved. Believe it or not, it
wasn't that long ago. The full paving of the midway as it looks today was completed in
1985, only 20 years ago!
FACTS FROM THE 2004 FAIR:
220,341 Attendance
312 Commercial
Booths
38 Amusement Rides
14 Main Stage Shows
Entertained Over 96,500 People
2,266 Volunteers!
Join us for
Summer's Best Party - August 5-14, 2005!
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