Nodaway
County
Celebrations
Nodaway County Fair
The first county fair was held on September 30, 1871 for the purpose of improving the livestock industry in Nodaway. The first fair only lasted one day but was successful in making Nodaway one of the leading counties of pure-bred stock in Missouri. For ten years the fair was an annual occurrance but ended in 1881 because of growing debt. The fair was revived numerous times throughout the 1900s, but continued to gain debt resulting in the disbanding of the fair board. Revived for the last time in 1979 the debt was paid off and since then the fair has been an annual tradition in Nodaway county.
The fair was a source of entertainment for the people of Nodaway County but also served as an economic boost for local businesses. Businesses took out large ads in the paper, created giant advertising displays that lined streets, and even offered discounted prices.
The annual fair offered numerous attractions for the resdient of Noday County. During this fair an acrobatic trapeze group performed in front of a large crowd on the fair grounds.
The fair attracted very large crowds for several days of competitions, shows, and games. The fair was mostly for entertainment but people still wore formal outfits. Men were in suits while women wore fancy dresses and hats.
The fair went through cycles of debt resulting in many years in which the fair was not held. This clipping announced the dates for the 1956 fair. The annual fair was canceled at least three times before 1979. Since 1979 the fair has been held every year.
A street sweeper cleaning up after horses during the fair in 1900. Even over one hundred years later, horses are a common sight at the fair parade and continue to keep the street sweepers busy.