McLEAN COUNTY HISTORY & GENEALOGY NEWS
By Euleen Rickard
Fairs are fascinating events. From school fairs to world fairs, all have displays and events to attract the populace and all have a purpose.
In the first ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT fair catalog dated 1933 the forward states, “Hoping to create a better social, agricultural and business spirit in the communities surrounding Island. The fair committees planned exhibits of the work of the schools and of the community. The goals set forth were “to make better boys and girls, men and women and to develop through fellowship better homes, better schools and a broader outlook on the part of the entire community.”
The first fair had eight categories: sewing, needlework, home cooking, canning, flowers, farm crops, antiques, school work and athletic events.
In sewing first, second and third place awards were given for kitchen apron, cotton dress, silk dress, pajamas, man’s shirt, ladies princess slip and step-ins, a women’s brief loose fitting underpants. (At that time many ladies were making their husband’s shirts and clothing for themselves, including under-garments.) In needlework there were prizes for quilts, embroidery and applique of pillowcases, luncheon sets, handkerchiefs and other items, in home cooking for biscuits, doughnuts, yeast breads, cakes and pies and in canning for fruits, vegetables, preserves, jam, jelly, pickles and catsup.
Awards for farm crops were given for best display of corn, tobacco, sweet and Irish potatoes, pears and apples.
In school work first and second grades made sand table projects, health posters and penmanship presentations; third fourth, fifth, six, seventh and eighth grades made geography, history and health booklets, maps and free hand drawings.
In athletic events there were 50yard dashes and 100yard dashes, broad jumps, high jumps and baseball throws for both boys and girls. Prizes of money were given for the athletic events, $1.00 for first place, 50cents for second. Maude Blades Howell recalls winning first place in all four events, taking home four dollars, a sizable amount at that time.
The fourth Island Fair was billed as “ISLAND SCHOOL FAIR AND LIVESTOCK EXHIBIT.” Livestock was exhibited and cash prizes of $1.00 for first and 50cents for second were given in all the groupings. That year pony races and mule races were added.
The Junior 4-H club exhibited their handiwork and animals. Wanedith Cox, a friend won first place and I second with our handmade luncheon cloth and napkins.
Mrs. Susie Kirtley wrote in her diary on September 14, 1933, school fair committee, Ethel Andrew, Lena Bell Penrod and I met at Lula Howell’s to talk of school fair. On October 6, 1933 she wrote “attended the school fair at Beech Grove, big crowd” and on October 20th she wrote “Fair Day, Good one, big crowd, beautiful displays”. Also wrote “Tired, going to bed.” None of these ladies were mentioned in the Island Fair Book of that year but the Fourth Island Fair book lists chairpersons,Willie McAfee, Ura Shutt, Martine Hughart, Addie Bell Freels and Driff Rose.
If you have ribbons, old fair books, newspaper articles or remembrances of events of the old fairs, or the more recent McLean County Fairs, that you would share with us, call Helen Anderson, Dorothy Pinkston, Mildren Iglehart or Euleen Rickard.