The Lycoming County Fair celebrated it's 50th anniversary in 1920, and it's 150th Anniversary in 2021. [The fair was cancelled during the pandemic of 2020]
The anniversary dates are based not on the first Lycoming County Fair, which was being held in Williamsport as early as 1859, but rather, the date of the first fair in Hughesville, which would later become the home of the Lycoming County Fairgrounds.
50th Anniversary, 1920
According to the fair website, the Hughesville fair began in 1868 when the Muncy Valley Farmers Club was organized to discuss agricultural topics. They held their first exhibition in 1870, and that is the date that the fair appears to use for their anniversary celebrations.
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Emily Bassler Sketch of the Grandstand at Hughesville
But the first reference I found of the Lycoming County Fair was in 1859, in Williamsport. In 1858 the fair at Williamsport was referred to as the "Agricultural Fair at Williamsport", and there "an amusing affair was an erect pole, about twenty feet in height, with the upper half well greased and with a watch fastened on a cross-piece at the top. The individual who climbed to the to watch was to have it. Scores of boys exercised their climbing powers and exhausted themselves without obtaining the prize. One lad, however, of small stature, having distanced all his competitors, being applauded by the hundreds of persons witnessing, after a desperate exertion reached the top, took out his knife, cut loose the watch and put it in his pocket, a month cheers and shouts of victory by the mass of people below." - The Sunbury Gazette
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Emily Bassler Sketch of the buildings at the Hughesville Fair
Muncy Luminary, 1872
In 1872, the fair at Hughesville was referred to as the "Farmers Club Fair"
"An Indian relic of much interest was found on Thursday evening, by Wm. Ellis, son of B. M. Ellis, of Wolf twp. He and his brother David were gathering moss for the Hughesville fair, near the Sulphur Spring, on wolf run, about three miles above Hughesville, when he found a regular and iron-pointed Indian arrow.
It was standing up in a hollow tree, and there was a growth of four or five inches of wood around the arrow. The tree will be blocked, with a view of ascertaining how many years ago it was put there. The arrow was perfectly protected from the weather, and on one side even the feather is tolerably well preserved. This interesting relic will be on exhibition at the Farmers' Club fair next week. "
Organized in August of 1868 with 10 members, including: Dr. George Hill, president, Daniel Steck Secretary. They gathered monthly at gathered monthly at the Odd Fellows Hall in Hughesville,
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The first exhibition was held on the grounds of the club in the fall of 1870, with 1,000 entries. During their exhibitions, a parade was held, featuring decorated wagons representing local businesses. The Hughesville Band, and livestock, would march down the street to the fairgrounds on the southeastern end of town. Produce, needlework, and handmade items were displayed and judged.
This 1899 envelope shows the charter date for the Muncy Valley Farmers Club as 1875
1934 Display
In the early years, the fairground consisted of 20 acres. Concessions sold for $3 a foot along the track and stands were hinged to fold after the fair, covered with a canvas roof.
To The Hughesville Fair, by Oxcart, 1908
Families would spend the entire day at the fairgrounds, arriving in buggies and surries with baskets full of food to last the family throughout the day.
The fair had its own newspaper, the Canusurago Daily Herald. It was printed Monday through Saturday, reporting fair news, and was the first newspaper printed in Hughesville.
I have two copies of this photo, which are identical except for the date. one reads 1911 Hughesville Fair, the other reads 1912 Hughesville Fair.
Along the midway were gypsies telling fortunes, penny pitches, a merry go round, and the ever popular judging of agricultural items.
The first Ferris Wheel was built for the 1893 Chicago Fair.
In 1911, the grand-stand was being replaced with an "up-to-date new one"
The first indication of the actual purchase of land, the result of extensive research by a local lawyer, was in 1915. Court records show that by 1930, some 50 acres of land had been deeded to the Lycoming County Fair Association.
In 1912 the Danville Morning News reported that the 42nd Annual Lycoming County Fair, "to be held under the auspices of the Muncy Valley Farmers Club at Hughesville".
Shooting Gallery, Hughesville Fair
"Over 6,000 people attended the Hughesville fair Friday." - Jersey Shore Herald, October 1891
On the track, 1929
The race track was built in 1916. Clay was imported from Vermont. The track was used for horse racing, until the 1930s and 40s when motorcycle and auto racing became popular we well.
Track Record Lowered in 1928
Exhibition Building, 1934
Hughesville, Sept. 24
On Saturday afternoon only, 5, the greatest combination of varied, hair raising stunts will be put on in connection with B. Ward Beam's International Congress of Daredevils.
Fourteen thrillers are listed on the program, among the features of which will be a head-on collision between two speeding automobiles at forty miles an hour driven by two fearless daredevils. Eddie Wells' leap from an airplane at a 6,000 foot altitude dropping a distance of one mile, at an estimated speed of 315 miles per hour be fore opening his parachute, the race of death in which two motorcycle rid ers will race through two flaming solid board walls, auto polo between the picked American team and the Canadians auto push ball which will be played with a six foot ball, motorcycle races between some of the country's foremost professional riders, Ray Kennedy jumping over an automobile with a motorcycle, Buster Anderson doing daredevil stunts on a special high rigging mounted on a motorcycle, and chariot races.
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1940
Traditionally held in September and October, the fair was held the first week of August in 1953. It was held in July in 1954, and from August 1-6th in 1955.
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There will also be a number of comedy features including the Funny Ford." - October 1935
Aeroplane built by Faust, at the Hughesville Fairgrounds
Airplane hangers were constructed, along with a runway, in 1930, with the official opening and dedication on September 3-5 1930. The Hughesville Airport was considered an important refueling stop on a direct route between New York City and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1934, state and federal monies made improvements to the facility. The US Postal Service declared a special "air mail day" on May 19, 1938 to honor the Hughesville Fairgrounds Airport. On May 14, 1929, Amelia Earhart of Trans Atlantic flight fame, made an emergency landing in her plane at the landing field on the Hughesville Fairgrounds.
Busy Midway at the 1935 Fair
The crowded midway was a great opportunity for pick pockets, who appeared at many of the local fairs in the 1930s.
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PICKPOCKETS AT FAIR Hughesville Oct A Pickpockets operated at the Hughesville Fair on Thursday afternoon in the crowded section of the midway . The first report was of a wallet' containing $35 and when reported to state police an announcement was made through a loud speaker to notifying patrons of the fair of the theft. Other losses of small amounts were reported. - October 1935
"WANTED Single man to stock automobile in a head-on collision with another automobile the Lycoming County Fair, Hughesville, Saturday afternoon October 5th, in connection with Ward Beam's new 1935 International Congress of Daredevils. crash at speed of forty miles hour or no pay, have driver for other car. Must give unconditional release in case of injury or death." - Ran in several local papers, 1935
Auto races were held throughout the summer on the fairgrounds track.
At the fair in 1935 - Auto Push Ball
"Auto Push Ball, one of the innovations, is played by four players on each team, each team using two stripped autos in which they chase a six foot inflated ball maneuvering to keep their opponents from scoring a goal. The play is fast and furious and many times the ball is tossed in the air to a height of 50 feet."
AUTOMOBILE RACES BIG DRAWING CARD AT HUGHESVILLE FAIR
HUGHESVILLE, Oct. 3
" Eastern championship automobile races, sponsored by the contest board of the American Automobile Association, will bring the Lycoming County Fair to a climax in Hughesville next Saturday afternoon, October 7, when more than 30 of the greatest speedway and dirt track drivers in America will compete in over 100 laps of sensational competition. Many of the great drivers who participated in the 1932 speed classic at Hughesville which was conceded one of the greatest gasoline speed festivals staged in the east in 1932, will be back to bid for new laurels and cash on Saturday. Among the new comers will be the middle western phenom, Johnny Gerber, farmer boy from Stenwood. Iowa, who since his invasion of the east a few months ego has defeated every driver against which he has driven, the most remarkable record of the season In automobile racing, officials say.
The Ambler Racing Corporation of Philadelphia is sending two entries while thj Braden interests of Washington, D. will have another pair." - October 1933
The Lycoming County Fair was cancelled from 1942 to 1944, due to restrictions and demands of World War II. The fair had also been cancelled during World War I.
1944 - lightening struck a large exhibition building, destroying it. Also that year, it was decided that if at all possible, the fair should be re-opened in 1945. At that meeting, it was also announced that the building destroyed by fire earlier that year would not be rebuilt, but one of the other structures on the fairgrounds would be remodeled and modernized to serve the purpose.
The back of this postcard reads "Coca Cola Truck at the Hughesville Fair"
In 1969, "heavy winds of hurricane force" shut down the fair. The grandstand area was so damaged that evening entertainment had to be cancelled. "The wind pulled concrete poles holding the grandstand canopy out of their anchor stones. A building that housed a 1,000 lb steer was blown over while the stable doors were flung open and several race horses got loose. A number of show trucks were upset."
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In 1971, A booklet entitled "The First 100 years Of The Hughesville Fair" was published. These sketches by Emily Bassler appeared in the publication. [I came across these sketches at a thrift store]
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Be sure to stop by the East Lycoming Historical Society in Hughesville to see their Fair Exhibit
"The Canusarago Daily Herald was published during the third annual exhibition of the Muncy Valley Farmers' Club in the fall of 1873. It was the first paper published in the town, and was run in the interest of the club. When the fair was over it ceased." History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania
edited by John F. Meginness; ©1892
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At Williamsport
In 1868, a round trip train ticket from Sunbury To Williamsport for the Lycoming Fair would cost you $1.55. That would be roughly $55 in 2023.
That same year, B. Morris Ellis, of Hughesville, exhibited 60 varieties of apples - the largest collection at the Lycoming Fair in Williamsport that year. He won $10 - roughly the equivalent of $200 in 2023.
The fairgrounds in Williamsport were "so badly damaged by high water" in 1902, that Lycoming County issued bonds of $5,000 for improvements. 1902 Ostrich Race
In 1909 the Lycoming County Fairgrounds were still located in Williamsport. The Sun Gazette reported, that year, that boys had been hurling stones at the buildings "on the Lycoming Fair Grounds at the West End." In 1910, the Lewisburg Journal reported that plans for the fair in Williamsport took definite shape, when the "new Williamsport Fair Asscociation secured an option on the grounds of the old Lycoming Fair Association." That same year, the fair at Hughesville was referenced as the Hughesville Fair.
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1873 - PT Barnum in Hughesville
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