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Through the Years in Pictures and Words ...
2000 75 Years and Beyond: The 75th anniversary of the fair was celebrated in 2000. Like the very first gathering of the people of Laurelton, the Union County West End Fair is still a homecoming. It is a time to renew old friendships as people gather to recall the days when they showed cattle, sheep or hogs, or won their very first blue ribbon.
It is a time to reflect on simpler times. It provides newcomers the opportunity to enjoy the wondrous bounty that Union County has to offer. Precious memories keep generation after generation working to preserve and continue the tradition that began in 1925 in a field in Laurelton, Pennsylvania.
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1993-1999 Expansions: In 1993, the parking lots were expanded to accommodate growing crowds each evening. In 1996, snow once again wreaked havoc with a fair structure as the roof of the stage collapsed. As the central focal point of the fairgrounds, it was important to have a beautifully designed roof installed by fair time.
The next several years saw the expansion of chain link fencing along Route 235 to keep people out of the poison ivy along the fair perimeter and to increase gate attendance. This period also included renovations of the 4-H and FFA hog barn, new rest rooms, the West Union Area Lion's Bingo stand, a new announcer's booth for the tractor pull area and renovations of the ambulance building.
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1989 Boardwalk Replaced: The fair's signature wooden boardwalk building was demolished in 1989 and replaced with a modern steel building, with concrete flooring and overhead garage doors in each individual booth. The new building retains the boardwalk look and is longer than the length of a football field. The building houses modern bathrooms on the north end and modern office space on the south end, including the original counter from a long gone Laurelton bank.
1975-1985 Building Renovations: In 1975 the current large exhibit building was erected to accommodate all non-livestock exhibits. The heavy snows of 1978 collapsed the commercial exhibit building which was then moved and replaced with a much larger facility which is rented for family reunions and wedding receptions. An eating stand was demolished in 1984 when a vehicle lost control on Route 235 and rammed into the building.
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1985 saw the culmination of several years of fund raising by the Dairy Committee, 4-H and FFA groups to build a new dairy barn. The old barn was remodeled into sheep pens and a showing arena.
1965 Miss Union County Pageant Begins: Maureen Zimmerman reigned as the first queen of the Miss Union County Pageant in 1965. The pageant continued until 1988, when interest was waning. However, during the 75th anniversary celebration in 2000, the pageant was revived and continues to grow each year.
1944 Fair Acquires 36 Acres: In 1944, Hartley Township residents and charter members of the fair association, the Lincoln family offered the fair 36 acres of its farm. The location was perfect, just at the north edge of Laurelton. The fair had been held in Laurelton in the fields behind the Hartley Township high school on Route 235 but was fast running out of room. |
1935 Incorporation as a Non-Profit: Each year, the fair continued to grow and by 1935, it was time to incorporate as a non-profit organization. The organization was formed with a slate of officers and 38 charter members.
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That first picnic proved so popular that the folks of Laurelton all agreed it should become an annual event; and so it did. It garnered a new name "The Corn Festival" because so many corn dishes were served at the picnic. In the next few years, the event grew in popularity and became known as an agricultural fair that included all of Union County.