In 2023, Niagara Discoveries took a look at the history of the Niagara County Fair from its 100th anniversary in 1922 up to 1973 (everything got moved back a year due to Covid). This year we move forward for the next 50 years and up to the present day, highlighting some of the changes and new attractions that marked this period in the history of the fair.
The 1974 Niagara County Fair had the usual rides, food stands and 4-H competitions for animals and other activities (in the cooking category, a new contest was added for the best apple and cherry desserts). A teen band competition was introduced for those youths who preferred to exhibit their musical talent, and domestic concerns were addressed with tips on how to cook game and the best way to clean a shag rug (so 1970s).
Two years later, the Bicentennial Year of 1976 included a National Clothing Revue at the fair, ending 200 years of fashion with the leisure suit. There was a great emphasis on history that year, with historical exhibits and information featured in almost every building and barn on the fairgrounds. Parking that year was only 50 cents per car. The next year saw the first Backyard BBQ display with experts dispensing tips on the best way to barbecue meat. It was also the first year that the American Legion Band was featured at the fair.
To accommodate a growing number of 4-H members involved in animal husbandry, a new livestock building was erected in 1978. A “save a life” tent was added at which fairgoers could have their blood pressure checked and 300 people were advised to see their doctor as soon as possible. To go along with that, a healthy foods baking contest was held for the first time. An antique car and tractor show and new archery demonstrations were especially popular. Sunshine Guys and Gals, a club for children with learning disabilities, joined in the junior 4-H fair events and exhibits that year.
In 1979, some new demonstrations occurred for the first time: microwave cooking in the home economics trailer, square dancing on the stage, and the “jaws of life” in the public safety tent. The Buffalo Evening News gave out name tags for children for the first time and it was recorded that 10,000 more fair goers attended than the previous year.
In 1980, a new skydivers’ show was added, as well as a marathon race, a live bee display, and hot air balloon rides and demonstrations were held.
A big change came to the fair in 1981 when an additional day was added, making it four days instead of three. Ronald MacDonald made his first appearance at the fair, much to the delight of children who were not terrified of clowns. There were also new hang glider and army parachute demonstrations. One negative aspect was that beef was bought at a lower price than the year before and local farmers were not happy about this.
The following year, 1982, an amateur wine making contest was introduced. An antique fire truck and apparatus exhibit was on display and a firemen’s muster was held.
Perhaps in response to the amateur wine making contest of the previous year, a new drunk driving simulation was offered in the public safety tent in 1983. Also that year, the livestock auction, usually held in the coliseum, was moved outside to attract more buyers.
The Omelet King came to the fair in 1984 to demonstrate how to make the perfect omelet at the opening day breakfast. Tino Wallenda, one of the “Flying Wallendas,” walked the high wire twice each day, and in anticipation of NASA’s new Space Shuttle program, there was a rocket and space exhibit.
In 1985, new sound system was installed throughout the fair, an exhibit featuring Harrison Radiator products was on display, and in reaction to a new craze, a “not so Trivial Pursuit game” was offered as entertainment to fairgoers.A year later, a new police gear and equipment display was added and deputies were on hand to fingerprint children after some high-profile child kidnappings occurred in the early 1980s.
The Niagara County 4-H Club Association celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1987 with a cake cutting ceremony. The “little sheriff’s car” — battery/remote controlled — debuted and was very popular with the younger set. This was also the first year Mercy Flight was stationed at the fair.
The following year, the parking fee increased from $1 to $2, and Niagara Falls Public Library was given a space where books could be read to kids if a quiet time was needed away from the all the excitement of the fair.
The 1980s ended with a new name, “Niagara County 4-H Fair and Farm Days,” and if successful the new name would become permanent. A new horse arena opened and a new bicycle rodeo was offered for kids who did not have horses. A vegetable sculpture contest rounded out the new attractions in 1989.
Materials and information from fairs in the early 1990s was not in the History Center archives and not readily available in any of the newspaper database websites. We do know that in 1992, the event was officially changed from “Niagara County 4-H Fair and Farm Days,” to “Niagara County Fair,” a name more people could relate to, and it was extended to five days.
Now we jump to 1994. This was the first year the fair saw a drop in attendance, but that was blamed on wet weather for the first three days. This was offset by an increase in revenue as this was the first year that admission was charged per person and not per car, so even though there was fewer people in attendance, the fair was still a financial success.
In 1995, 12 farms were designated “Century Farms” in a ceremony at the fair. These farms had been operating in agriculture for at least 100 years. The farms honored were from all parts of the county.
Weather is always a factor at the fair, and during the 1990s, rain seemed to spoil at least a couple of days of the five-day run. The 4-H competitions were always a big draw for fairgoers and helped keep attendance at a consistent level. Among the popular events in 1997 were the horse show, the dog-obedience training demonstration and the Civil War encampment.
An article in the Buffalo News in 1998 detailed all the various 4-H programs and exhibits available to children and teenagers at that time. Many people associate 4-H with livestock and animal competition but there are other categories including electronics, textiles, ceramics, vegetable gardening, rocketry, insect study, arts and crafts, cooking, cake decorating, even producing a local TV show all about 4-H. That year also introduced a new second stage for entertainment, so various acts could perform simultaneously. The fair was getting bigger and better with each passing year, and anticipation was growing as to what would happen in Y2K.
NEXT WEEK: The Niagara County Fair in the 2000s.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Niagara History Center summer intern Kendra Steinbroner assisted researching information for this article.
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Ann Marie Linnabery is the assistant director of the History Center of Niagara.
