The history of fairs is clouded and the record is less than complete. Nonetheless, a casual observer might conclude that American fairs and exhibitions came fresh out of eighteenth century western Europe, delivered to the colonial docks of Boston and Halifax with a predisposed mission to serve agriculture and animal husbandry.
This observation fails to recognize centuries of historical linkage of fairs to the eastern Mediterranean before the birth of Christ. Where and when the first fair was held is not known; however, evidence points to the existence of fairs as early as
500 BC.
From the beginning, fairs were commercial in character. Merchants from distant countries would come together bringing native wares to trade with one another. It is believed that the word fair came from the Latin world "feria" (meaning holy day). "Feria" was a day when large numbers of people would assemble for worship.
Over time, "feria" moved into western Europe. Periodic gatherings brought together the producers of all types of commodities for the purpose of barter, exchange, and sale. To this marketplace were added entertainment and other forms of activity, thus these primitive markets took on the aspect of fairs as we know them today.
In 1765 the first American fair was presented in Windsor, Nova Scotia. That same fair continues to operate today. In upper Canada, as Ontario was known in those days, a fair was held in 1792, sponsored by the Niagara Agricultural Society. The Niagara Fair remains in operation today.
In 1807, Elkanah Watson, a New England farmer, produced the first small exhibit of sheep under an old elm tree in the town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He wrote, "Many farmers, and even women, were excited by curiosity to attend this first novel and humble exhibition." In 1810, Watson staged a larger and more ambitious project, a Berkshire cattle show. The event was successful beyond all his expectations; entries included 386 sheep, 109 oxen, 9 cows, 7 foals, 3 heifers, 2 calves and 1 boar.
Today, over 3,200 fairs are held in North America each year. They provide industrial exhibits, demonstrations and competition aimed at the advancement of livestock, horticulture, and agriculture, with special emphasis placed on educational activities such as 4-H, FFA and similar youth programs.
For the complete history of fairs, www.fairsandexpos.com
