Caroline County Agricultural Fair - A Local Tradition Since 1918
In June 2018, the all-volunteer Caroline County Agricultural Fair Association celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the first ever county fair held in Caroline. Though not a continuous annual event since 1918, it remains a local tradition that has provided memories for the citizens of Caroline County for the last century. Through exte
nsive research which included combing online archives of area newspapers from 1918 and pouring over every available edition of The Caroline Progress since it was first published in 1919, Fair volunteers were able to put together a timeline chronicling the history of the Caroline County Agricultural Fair. Evidence of the first Fair, held November 14th and 15th, 1918 in the county seat of Bowling Green, was found in an archived edition of The Richmond Times-Dispatch. It was reported to have been “a great success.” Known as the Caroline County Agricultural and School Fair, the event was organized by County Agent, R. Exhibits of livestock, poultry and home canning club items, as well as corn and other farm produce, were among the displays. The newspaper article also stated, “this Fair is to be an annual event for the people of Caroline, and they are manifesting a lively interest in it.” So much so, even the Governor of Virginia attended! The Honorable Westmoreland Davis addressed the crowd, and “congratulated the people of the county upon their good showing.”
Mr. Holberton spear-headed many programs to benefit the people of Caroline County during his tenure, with considerable emphasis on the Agricultural and School Fair. He secured funds from the County Board of Supervisors, along with private individuals and organizations, to erect a brand new Fair building in Bowling Green. At a cost of $2,800, a substantial sum in 1918, the new building measured 50 by 120 feet and was equipped with “plenty of light and ventilation” – meaning it likely had many window openings! The new building was ready in time for the second annual Fair held in October 1919, which by then had expanded to a three day event. For the next one and a half decades, the Fair grew in popularity “through the cooperation of the progressive people in Caroline County.” Early on, special efforts were given to increase student participation including a collective showcase of the work accomplished at each of the many community schools in Caroline, competitive displays featuring artwork and academic projects, and a school parade - complete with floats. A prize was awarded to the institution having the largest percentage of pupils as compared to their enrollment present for the parade. Soon every local man, woman and child had a vested interest in the annual event, or so it would seem. Though having survived several major droughts in the area, the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and part of the Great Depression, the Caroline County Agricultural and School Fair ended abruptly in September 1934 when a group of school teachers complained that too much time was being taken away from academics in order to prepare for the event. In October 1937, the old County Fair building, now deemed an eyesore and a fire hazard, was offered for sale at public auction, with a high bid of only $50. (As a side note, retired County Agent, R. Holberton, passed away in his home in June 1937; he did not have to witness the demise of the Fair building.) In September 1941, in an attempt to restart the Fair, agricultural leaders announced a one day “Farm and Home Show” to be held in early October at Caroline High School in Bowling Green. Along with livestock and poultry exhibits, emphasis was placed heavily on entries by home demonstration and 4-H clubs, and Home Economics students. This was a one-time event presumably disrupted by the fresh uprooting of many farm communities in the area now known as Fort A. Hill, as well as the United States’ entrance into World War II. The Caroline Ruritan Club held the “Caroline Junior Agriculture Fair” in Bowling Green each year from October 1945 – October 1949. The two day event featured exhibits from members of county 4-H, FFA, and FHA Clubs. For the next decade, the Fair ceased to occur. That is until the newly chartered West Caroline Ruritan Club picked up the ball and revived the “Caroline County Agricultural Fair” as a one-day event dedicated to the youth of Caroline County. T Smith School in Ladysmith on August 29, 1959, the event was open to 4-H, FFA, and FHA Club members. The Fair continued at C. Smith in 1960 but moved to the E. School in Dawn in 1961. On August 18, 1962, the Fair moved to permanent grounds on the property of the West Caroline Ruritan Club on Jericho Road in Ruther Glen where it was held annually through September 1969. The longest time of dormancy appears to have been from 1970 – 1996. Thanks to the Madison Ruritan Club, the Fair was held again on August 15-17, 1997 at the Caroline Recreation Park on Devil’s Three Jump Road, Milford. The Ruritans continued hosting the annual Fair, eventually moving it to larger ground at Caroline Middle School and later Caroline High. In May 2002, under the guidance of the Fair Committee consisting of County representatives and Madison Ruritan Club members, the Fair became incorporated as the “Caroline County Agricultural Fair Association,” a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In July of the same year, the Fair opened at the Virginia Bazaar in Ladysmith where it was held through 2008. Because of continued growth and the Association’s desire to hold the Fair in a more agricultural setting, the July 2009 Caroline County Agricultural Fair opened at its new and permanent 40-acre home adjacent to the Tate family farm in Ruther Glen – a move made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Tate. This move revitalized the Fair Association and the community at large. Donations from individuals, families, and businesses – and hundreds upon hundreds of volunteer hours – made the buildings and other amenities at the Fair Grounds a reality. Much like Mr. Holberton stated in the very early years, “it takes all, working together, to get anywhere with an institution of this kind.” People from all walks of life continue to come together to make the Caroline County Agricultural Fair a great success. The 2018 Fair marked the 10th such event to be held at its permanent home, and also commemorated a milestone of a century old tradition near and dear to the hearts of the people of Caroline. We say thank you to all who joined us for the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Caroline County Agricultural Fair - the place “where memories are made!”
Written by: Lynda J. Tate, Volunteer
Research by Ms. Tate & Francine W. Whittaker, Association President
