at the Western Carolina Colored Fair, the forerunner of the Carolina Colored Fair. In later years, the white fair came to be known as the Dixie Classic Fair. The Carolina Colored Fair, which later became just the Carolina Fair, was formed in 1953 after the Western Carolina Fair dissolved. John H. Marks Shows of Roanoke, VA., provided the midway attractions." While the Western Carolina Fair had promoted agricultural exhibits, the Carolina Fair tried to attract more patrons "by increasing prize money and adding a better carnival to the midway and new features likea Hula-Hoop contest. The Carolina Fair had a successful run from its inception, drawing thousands of patrons from in and around Forsyth County. Promoted as both 'educational and agricultural', it featured prize livestock from several of the surrounding counties as well as arts, crafts and food." In the early years, Jordan wrote, both the white and black fairs were held north of town, and later moved to the fair's current location off University Parkway. "Attendance at the (Carolina Fair) stated slowing down after 1963, when the Dixie Classic Fair was integrated and blacks began attending it," he wrote. The decline of the fair came rather quickly after that. Blacks now had a choice and favored the bigger and better Carolina Classic Fair, and that is where they spent their money. Some remained loyal to the black fair, but also attended the Dixie Classic." Since the Dixie Classic was held first, people often had less money left to spend by the time the Carolina Fair came along. "In 1968, E.E. Hill, the president of the fair coporation, announced the Carolina Fair was closing," Jordan wrote. In 1950, the name of the Fair was changed to the Fair of Winston-Salem. Then, in 1956, the name was changed to, Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina. The Fair has been in its present location since 1951. James A. (Jim) Graham was Fair Manager from 1952 until 1955. He was elected and served as Commissioner of Agriculture, NC, from 1964 until 2000. Neil Bolton was Manager of the Fair from 1956 until his death in 1972 (and Manager of Winston- Salem Memorial Coliseum until 1969). W. B. “Bill” Austin, Jr. was Manager from 1972 until retirement in 1993. David L. Sparks began his career at the Fair in 1988 as Assistant to Fair Director and became Fair Director in 1993. Della Stephens joined the Fair family in 1962 and was promoted to Assistant to Fair Director in 1994 after 32 years of service to the Fair (and Memorial Coliseum from 1962-1969). Della retired on December 31, 2002. Dona Martin was promoted to Assistant to Fair Director in February 2003. David Sparks retired as Fair Director in 2018. Cheryle Hartley was promoted to Fair Director in December 2018. Cary Hester was promoted to Assistant to Fair Director in 2019. On December 1, 1969, the Winston-Salem Foundation gave the Fairgrounds, Memorial Coliseum and $75,000 to the City of Winston-Salem. Since then, the Fairgrounds continues to operate under an “enterprise system”. The Fair generates sufficient cash to cover all operating expenditures and debt service payments. The mission of the Fairgrounds is to plan, promote and produce the annual Fair to enhance the quality of life for our citizens by providing year- round facilities for agricultural, fraternal, education, social and entertainment activities and events. The Fair continues to develop a long-range capital improvement program that will enhance the quality of service and appearance of the Fairgrounds complex. The Carolina Classic Fair is the second largest Fair in North Carolina and one of the largest in North America. Recent improvements include a new pedestrian entrance gate off Shorefair Drive (East Gate), a new connector into the midway area, new midway restrooms and a gazebo in the Plaza area of the Fairgrounds. Landscaping efforts continue to enhance the appearance of the Fairgrounds for the enjoyment of Fairgoers as well as the many thousands of people utilizing the facilities during off-season. In 2019 the City of Winston-Salem changed the name to Carolina Classic Fair. In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Carolina Classic Fair was cancelled and opened "The Drive Thru Presented by Carolina Classic Fair" to provide fair-goers a safe way to enjoy fair food.
220
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs