[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 131 (Friday, July 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF THE WOOD COUNTY FAIR UPON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 
                           150TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT E. LATTA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2023

  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Wood County 
Agricultural Society on the 150th Anniversary of the Wood County Fair. 
Since 1873, the Wood County Fair has been a proud tradition of 
Northwest Ohio and has served as an outlet for county residents to 
showcase their talents, skills, and benevolence. Over the course of 150 
years, the Fair has continued to promote the county's heritage, bring 
the community together, and encourage friendly competition with the 
junior fair.
  The first Wood County Fair was held near the corner of today's W. 
Wooster and N. Grove Streets in Bowling Green, Ohio. Between 1851 to 
1885, it was held in various locations around Wood County including 
Bowling Green, Perrysburg, Portage, and Tontogany. From 1882 to 1927, 
the fair was held in what is now the Bowling Green City Park. Although 
there was not an official fair between 1928 to 1950, events that 
highlighted and celebrated the county's agriculture base included 
Tomato Festivals, Harvest Festivals, and Fall Festivals. The fair has 
been held at the current location since 1951.
  Although the first fair wasn't held until 1873, Wood County's 
beginnings set the foundation for the agricultural spirit that is still 
felt today during the fair. Wood County was once home to the Great 
Black Swamp. This made settlement of the area extremely difficult, but 
the pioneering spirit of early residents produced an extensive system 
of ditches, which drained the swamp and revealed the rich farmland 
beneath. There are still more than 3,000 miles of drainage ditches 
keeping the county dry to this day, and agriculture continues to power 
Wood County's economy.
  Even after the population spiked due to the discovery of oil and 
natural gas in the late 1800s, agriculture continued to dominate Wood 
County's economy. The county supports the rural traditions and history 
of the area that fosters agricultural ingenuity, manufacturing 
developments, and educational success. All of these factors have 
contributed to a successful fair that highlights all aspects of the 
county.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute 
to the Wood County Agricultural Society on this significant milestone. 
On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I 
wish the Wood County Agricultural Society continued success on this 
150th Wood County Fair.