MONROE - For 154 years, Green County residents have made it an annual tradition to attend the Green County Fair.
According to the Green County Fair Web site, greencountyfair.net, the person who should receive the most credit for organizing the Green County Fair is John Bingham, the first attorney in Green County after Wisconsin became a state in 1848. He also served as the first judge in Green County.
The first Green County Fair was held in October 1854. Fairs emphasized handicrafts as well as agriculture. Boys were allowed to exhibit at the fair beginning in 1867. Girls were allowed to exhibit at the fair in 1885. There weren't any 4-H clubs until 1914.
Bands often played at the fair to provide entertainment. Early entertainment also included baseball games.
In 1909, the first carnival and night fair were held.
Over the years, other entertainment acts have visited the fair. Joyce Binder, who serves as fair secretary, said one of her favorites was Boxcar Willie. She also remembers the year Tammy Wynette's tour bus got stuck on the track because of heavy rains.
One of the biggest acts to perform at the fair was Alabama, Binder said. The band was scheduled to perform a night show at the fair, and at the time it was booked for the fair, Alabama was a relatively unknown band. A few months before the fair, the band's career took off, Binder said, and they were extremely popular and in demand to perform everywhere.
"We had a contract with them and they played here," she said. "There were a lot of people here to see them."
Another big event in the fair's history happened in 1913.
The first airplane to be shown in Monroe came to the fair. According to "Pictorial History of Monroe, Wisconsin," special trains were used to bring in the crowds "adding to the hundreds who came by regular trains, teams and automobiles."
The 2008 Green County Fair begins Wednesday, July 16.
According to the Green County Fair Web site, greencountyfair.net, the person who should receive the most credit for organizing the Green County Fair is John Bingham, the first attorney in Green County after Wisconsin became a state in 1848. He also served as the first judge in Green County.
The first Green County Fair was held in October 1854. Fairs emphasized handicrafts as well as agriculture. Boys were allowed to exhibit at the fair beginning in 1867. Girls were allowed to exhibit at the fair in 1885. There weren't any 4-H clubs until 1914.
Bands often played at the fair to provide entertainment. Early entertainment also included baseball games.
In 1909, the first carnival and night fair were held.
Over the years, other entertainment acts have visited the fair. Joyce Binder, who serves as fair secretary, said one of her favorites was Boxcar Willie. She also remembers the year Tammy Wynette's tour bus got stuck on the track because of heavy rains.
One of the biggest acts to perform at the fair was Alabama, Binder said. The band was scheduled to perform a night show at the fair, and at the time it was booked for the fair, Alabama was a relatively unknown band. A few months before the fair, the band's career took off, Binder said, and they were extremely popular and in demand to perform everywhere.
"We had a contract with them and they played here," she said. "There were a lot of people here to see them."
Another big event in the fair's history happened in 1913.
The first airplane to be shown in Monroe came to the fair. According to "Pictorial History of Monroe, Wisconsin," special trains were used to bring in the crowds "adding to the hundreds who came by regular trains, teams and automobiles."
The 2008 Green County Fair begins Wednesday, July 16.