Moments Project – The Valley Fair
Brattleboro Vermont’s Valley Fair began in 1886 and was held in the 2nd week of October. Over 5,000 people attended. Cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, pigs, dogs, fruits and vegetables were exhibited. A Valley Fair Association purchased land that presently includes the high school, middle school, career center and town garage.
Each year the Fair grew. By 1890 it was two days long, and over 18,000 people attended. Admission was 25 cents a day. The Fair included a cavalcade, decorated wagons, hot air balloonists, vaudeville acts, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, whip, Arabian horses from Coney Island and a horse racing track. Floats and carriages paraded from the Common to the Fairgrounds. Individuals, families and local companies tried to outdo one another.
Attendance climbed to 20,000 and then to 25,000. The Fair expanded to three days and businesses called it “Fair Week.”
The Fair began to struggle and was over $7,000 in debt by 1931. The Fairgrounds was sold to the town for $8,000.
The Brattleboro Vermont Historical Society-
bhs802.org
