[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14891]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TUSCOLA COUNTY FAIR

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 18, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, July 23rd through July 29th will mark the 
125th anniversary of the Tuscola County Fair. Since 1881, the fair has 
been an annual tradition of family and friends in the greater Tuscola 
County area. It is the oldest on-going event in Tuscola County. To 
celebrate the anniversary, the community is holding a barbeque on 
Sunday in Caro Michigan to kick off this year's celebration.
  From the beginning the fair was a success. The Caro District 
Agricultural Society organized the first fair to allow the local 
farmers and merchants to display their produce, livestock, handicrafts, 
merchandise and machinery. One of the popular entertainments of the day 
was harness racing and in 1892 the clay track was completed so that 
sulky races could be run. Two years later the first grandstand, seating 
1500 people, was finished. It was adjacent to the track and also had a 
wooden stage.
  After purchasing the land from the Van Winkle family in 1895, the 
fair continued to grow. Buildings were constructed over the years 
including Heritage Hall, the swine and cattle barns, the 4-H horse 
barn, the merchants' display hall, and the fair offices. In 1920 
Michigan Sugar Company provided the first electricity to the fair. 
After being destroyed by fire twice the grandstand was rebuilt both 
times. The state highway department built a park with picnic tables and 
a covered water fountain for fair patrons. Later the village expanded 
this park and added a swimming pool and tennis courts. During World War 
II the fair grounds operated as a prisoner of war camp. The German 
prisoners housed at fair grounds worked at the Michigan Sugar Company. 
After the war ended, it was the center of Tuscola County celebrations 
welcoming home their returning veterans. Utilized year round, the 
fairgrounds have been the site of several festivals, trade shows, 
educational programs, and athletic events.
  The spirit of the Tuscola County Fair is embodied in the people that 
have attended year after year. They have brought their best livestock, 
canned goods, flowers, needlework, crafts, and produce to display. The 
fair is an opportunity to socialize, to be entertained, to be inspired 
and to be educated.
  Agricultural fairs in the United States played a significant role in 
developing a sense of community and spurring innovation. Agriculture 
was the largest domestic industry in the 19th century and the 
agricultural fair was the primary means to showcase the ingenuity of 
American farmers producing an abundant harvest. Innovations first 
demonstrated at a fair are now part of everyday agricultural and 
livestock production worldwide. Agricultural fairs have historically 
promoted three core values: education, community celebration, and youth 
development. The Tuscola County Fair is no exception. The partnership 
between the fair, 4-H, the community of Caro, educational institutions 
and local business is the central component to the fair's longevity and 
vitality.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
commending the members of the Tuscola County Fair Association for their 
tireless work preserving and supporting a piece of America's living 
history. The fair continues to challenge farmers to increase our bounty 
and every American has benefited from their skill in rising to that 
challenge.

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