MONROE - As the Green County Fair approaches, the fair board offers area residents a look back in history to 1925.
The year 1925 was a time of uncertainty for the fair. The fair was in financial difficulty, with the 1925 fair being a make-it-or-break-it year. It is believed that if a deficit existed at the end of the 1925 fair, the fair was doomed to be abandoned. At the end of its four-day, four-night run, with ideal weather, it was determined that the fair made a profit for the first time in five years. Gate receipts that year were $14,348.95. It was believed that 31,500 fair goers paid their way in to the fair. This profit guaranteed at least one more fair in 1926. Great weather and good business management would determine the fate of future fairs.
To help the financial situation, stockholders agreed to forego their free season tickets and pay their way into the fair. Entries from out-of-state were barred, except in the poultry and dairy departments; entries would close 10 days before the fair and the premium book would be completely revised. This revision would include not being able to collect premiums on the same items, year after year.
Thursday of the fair was named "green star" day. A new Chrysler sedan was offered as a prize. Hopeful winners gathered bundles of contribution checks from local merchants, as a way to boost the fair's financial situation. The winner was given the privilege of buying the new car for $5. Henry E. White was the proud winner of the car. Thursday turned out to be the highest attendance day of the fair.
Instead of individual 4-H clubs, where members can exhibit in a huge variety of projects, there were county clubs. These clubs were broken down by the activity of the members. These clubs included, Sewing Club, Canning Club, Food Club, Calf Club, Pig Club, Lamb Club, Poultry Club and Goat Club. Large numbers of open class exhibits in the areas of dairy, swine, horses and sheep were popular in 1925. Among the open dairy exhibits was a herd from the Rock County School of the Blind.
Entertainment included harness and running races; performances by the Monroe municipal and Brodhead city bands; "Aerospace Thrillers;" nightly skits by the "Gypsy Strollers;" and baseball games between the rival teams from Browntown and Woodford.
A highlight of Saturday was the Livestock Parade. Ribbon-winners passed in review as they paraded in front of the grandstand and around the track. The parade started with horses and dairy and finished off with the members of the Green County Boys and Girls Club showing off a variety of animal and non-animal projects.
Eighty-five years have passed and much of the fair activity remains the same - open and junior exhibitors showing proudly their exhibits, fair goers coming to the fair to enjoy the entertainment and meeting of old friends; and the desire to just have fun.
Fun fact: The Monroe High School football and baseball fields were located on the Green County Fairgrounds in the time around 1925.
The year 1925 was a time of uncertainty for the fair. The fair was in financial difficulty, with the 1925 fair being a make-it-or-break-it year. It is believed that if a deficit existed at the end of the 1925 fair, the fair was doomed to be abandoned. At the end of its four-day, four-night run, with ideal weather, it was determined that the fair made a profit for the first time in five years. Gate receipts that year were $14,348.95. It was believed that 31,500 fair goers paid their way in to the fair. This profit guaranteed at least one more fair in 1926. Great weather and good business management would determine the fate of future fairs.
To help the financial situation, stockholders agreed to forego their free season tickets and pay their way into the fair. Entries from out-of-state were barred, except in the poultry and dairy departments; entries would close 10 days before the fair and the premium book would be completely revised. This revision would include not being able to collect premiums on the same items, year after year.
Thursday of the fair was named "green star" day. A new Chrysler sedan was offered as a prize. Hopeful winners gathered bundles of contribution checks from local merchants, as a way to boost the fair's financial situation. The winner was given the privilege of buying the new car for $5. Henry E. White was the proud winner of the car. Thursday turned out to be the highest attendance day of the fair.
Instead of individual 4-H clubs, where members can exhibit in a huge variety of projects, there were county clubs. These clubs were broken down by the activity of the members. These clubs included, Sewing Club, Canning Club, Food Club, Calf Club, Pig Club, Lamb Club, Poultry Club and Goat Club. Large numbers of open class exhibits in the areas of dairy, swine, horses and sheep were popular in 1925. Among the open dairy exhibits was a herd from the Rock County School of the Blind.
Entertainment included harness and running races; performances by the Monroe municipal and Brodhead city bands; "Aerospace Thrillers;" nightly skits by the "Gypsy Strollers;" and baseball games between the rival teams from Browntown and Woodford.
A highlight of Saturday was the Livestock Parade. Ribbon-winners passed in review as they paraded in front of the grandstand and around the track. The parade started with horses and dairy and finished off with the members of the Green County Boys and Girls Club showing off a variety of animal and non-animal projects.
Eighty-five years have passed and much of the fair activity remains the same - open and junior exhibitors showing proudly their exhibits, fair goers coming to the fair to enjoy the entertainment and meeting of old friends; and the desire to just have fun.
Fun fact: The Monroe High School football and baseball fields were located on the Green County Fairgrounds in the time around 1925.