Wayne County Fair publishes history book for 150th anniversary

Staff Writer
·3 min read

It has been 150 years since the current Wayne County Fair was established, a mile north of Honesdale, Pa. In commemoration of this, the Wayne County Fair Board has released a book on the fair’s long history.Penned by Peter W. Becker of White Mills, the book brings together facts and figures and colorful anecdotes. Research was made of newspaper archives, minutes kept by the Fair Board, various publications put out by the Fair and personal memories told by long-time devoted Fair attendees or volunteers.

Growing tradition

The Wayne County Fair was organized by the Wayne County Agricultural Society in 1862, the same year the nation witnessed the start of the Civil War.

Whether it was war or peace, the humdrum of daily living called each year for a venue of diversion for the whole family. The Wayne County Fair quickly became an honored tradition, showcasing the fruit of local agriculture and finding a way for young and old to celebrate life together. It became a long awaited social occasion, meeting your family, friends and school mates. It became a major attraction for the tourism industry and growing tide of summer season visitors.Keeping true to its core themes of agriculture and family, the Wayne County Fair has weathered financial crisis, fire and flood. The Fair has expanded from a few thousand attendees to nearly 90,000. The fairgrounds, always situated on the flat land along the Dyberry Creek north of Honesdale, has more than doubled in size and multiplied its amenities.The story is richly told in over 80 pages of text, with many photographs. The book follows the tradition of Daniel Eno’s centennial Fair history published in 1962, but is structured differently, by topics. Chapters include, The Early Years, Agriculture, Harness Racing, Entertainment, Concessions, Buildings & Grounds, Fire Business, Cornucopia, Fair Memories and Time Line.

In the past 150 years, the Wayne County Fair missed two years: 1888 due to a financial crisis and in 1942 due to flood damage. Numbering of the Fair, however, continued without break. The 2012 Fair therefore is being considered the Sesquicentennial, not of the number of fairs held, but of the founding 15 decades ago.

Where to buy them

The 2012 Fair is set for August 3 - 11. A booth will be set up under the grandstands on the south end, where the history book will be available, as well as souvenir baskets and mugs. The book is being sold for five dollars. The author plans to be available at the booth on Saturday, August 4th from 3 to 6 p.m. to sign copies.The book will also be sold at the Honesdale National Bank main office on Main Street, Honesdale, and at the Wayne County Visitor’s Center on Commercial Street.An exhibit of artifacts from the Fair’s history will be on display in the red metal, grange/4-H building.A Honesdale native, Becker is managing editor at The News Eagle in Hawley and worked many years at The Wayne Independent. He writes a weekly series on local history in The News Eagle which was recognized at the Wallenpaupack Historical Society awards banquet last September. He also compiled a special history edition for the 200th anniversary of Wayne County, in 1998.

150th Wayne County Fair highlights

A highlight at the 150th Wayne County Fair is a concert appearance by country singer Jake Owen. The concert, which is in honor of the Sesquicentennial, is set for Thursday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Grandstand tickets for this performance cost $15 (reserved track seat, $25).

Roger Dirlam, president of the Wayne County Fair, commented, “We welcome everybody to the 150th Fair and to help us celebrate.”

Fairground admission is $8, which covers unlimited rides, parking and most attractions and shows. For more information on the 150th Wayne County Fair, visit www.waynecountyfair.com or pick up a brochure.

The Wayne County Fair has published a history book to commemorate 150 years since the Fair north of Honesdale was founded in 1862. Fair Book Committee members are shown, from left: Dave Gellatt Jr., John Whetmore, Diane Mott, the book’s author Peter Becker, Eric Kowalczyk and Jeff Firmstone. Absent from picture: Nina Martin, Judy Muller and Kathryn Dix. The 150th Wayne County Fair is set, August 3-11. Books will be available at a souvenir booth under the grandstand, at Honesdale National Bank and the Wayne County Visitor’s Center.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Fair publishes history book for 150th anniversary