I did my stint at the J. B. Park Farm Museum at the Fair last night. The fair is a good deal - parking and admission (including rides and most entertainment) for only $6 a person. It is still primarily an agricultural fair, but of course special events like the Demolition Derby are very popular. The food stands have taken on an international flavor (Mexican food, gyros and rice pudding in addition to the ubiquitous sausage and peppers and funnel cake). To add a bit to the history of the fair (from "History of Wayne County, 1798-1998" by Walter B. Barbe and Kurt A. Reed), "The first attempt to establish a Wayne County Fair occurred early in the history of the County. The first Wayne County Agricultural Society was organized in Bethany on November 17, 1821. Solomon Moore, Jacob Davis, and John K. Woodward were president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively. On November 12, 1822, the firt fair was held in Bethany. Turnout for the fair was good, and it was considered a success. "The second fair was held in Mount Pleasant on November 4, 1823, at the request of the residents of that township. This one was not thought to be successful as both attendance and exhibits were down compared to the year before. The fair returned to Bethany on November 2, 1824. "The second Agricultural Society was established at the Court House in Honesdale on September 9, 1847. The fair was successful until 1856 when problems again rose for the Society. The treasurer at that time refused to turn over funds to the managers. When news of this spread, the public was outraged and the second Agrucultural Society came to an end. "In the fall of 1861, William H. Ham suggested a revival of the Society. On December 2, 1861, a meeting was held in the Court House where it was decided that a new incorporated organization would be formed..." ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean McNamara" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 1:02 AM Subject: [PAWAYNE-L] Wayne Co. Fair > Did you know that this year is the 139th year of the Wayne Co. Fair? > Think of how many of our ancestors must have attended the fair! > > > ==== PAWAYNE Mailing List ==== > Visit the Genealogical Research Society of Northeastern Pa., Inc. > 210 Grant Street Olyphant, PA. 18447 (570) 383-7661 > [email protected] http://www.cfrobbins.com/grsnp > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > >