ECHOES FROM THE PAST - FAIR HISTORY
EARLY HISTORY - 1800’s THROUGH 2000’s Long before the towns of Winston and Salem merged, there was a Fair in the area. What is now known as the Carolina Classic Fair began as a wheat exhibition in Salem in 1882. The Piedmont Tobacco Fair started 15 years later, and the two Fairs joined to become the Winston-Salem Fair. The first Fairs were great attractions. Families traveled by wagons, buggies, bicycles, horseback and by foot. Families took picnic dinners with them, stayed all day and into the night. The first Fair, which was a Wheat Fair, was held at Pace Warehouse, Saturday, August 26th in 1882. Mr. F. Fries, Mr. H. Fries, Mr. Hinshaw and Mr. Bynum were known to have been the ones who were actually thanked for inaugurating the Wheat Fair. The Fair consisted of 28 Wheat Exhibitors (which received paid premiums), a band, speakers, decorations and agricultural displays. The second Fair was known as The Wheat and Cattle Fair. It took place on August 30, 1883, at the Pace Warehouse. This was all of the information that was found in reference to the second Fair in Forsyth County. The Wheat and Cattle Fair was held again in August 1884, this time at the Farmers Warehouse and a second day was added. This year the Fair not only consisted of wheat and cattle exhibitors, it also included horses, hogs, sheep, hay, fruits, farm products, and tobacco. Another change that was made, was that the fair officers, exhibitors and visitors were all charged an entry fee to enter the Fair and any display that was intended to advertise for a business was also charged for their display. Nothing else was reported about a Fair in Forsyth County until October 21, 1887. It was known as the Fair of the Bashavia Farmers’ Club of Vienna Township held at the District School House at Oak Grove. Inside the District School House were displays of tobacco and outside were rows of tables lined with exhibits that were competing for premiums. These exhibits included vegetables, fruits, jellies, bread, cakes, needlework, grain, wheat and oats. The Fair was considered one of the most successful county Fairs of the period. In August, 1889, the State Fruit Fair was held for two days at the Brown’s Warehouse, at the corner of Main and Fifth Streets, where the Reynolds Plaza is now located. Exhibits, which were competing for premiums, consisted of fruits, vegetables, canned fruits and preserves, flowers, wine and cider. Music was provided by the Salem Cornet Band and the Salem Orchestra. The admission fee was 25 cents, which was used to assist in paying the premiums. The first Forsyth County Fair was held on October 15, 1896, at Oak Grove School House, Vienna Township. This location served the Fair for two years. In 1897, the Fair in Winston was known as the Winston Tobacco Fair. It was held November 3-5 and it was mentioned that the Farmers’ warehouse would be decorated and the county officers decorated the Court House. There was also a flower show held in the new auditorium at the YMCA with prizes offered.
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