[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15452-15453]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TUSCOLA COUNTY FAIR

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize 
the Tuscola, Michigan County Fair as it celebrates its 125th 
anniversary. The Tuscola County Fair, in existence since 1881, 
showcases the local agricultural community in addition to other 
attractions, is an important contributor to the local economy, and 
entertains thousands of fairgoers of all ages each year.
  The fair, which first took place the year President Garfield was 
assassinated, generates more than $2 million of activity in the county. 
The impetus to locate a fair in Caro, MI, was the desire of 
agricultural groups in the area to display their harvest, livestock, 
home canning and baked goods, flowers and needlework, and of local 
merchants and other industries to demonstrate new products and 
machinery for the farm and home.
  Over the years, the Tuscola County Fair has experienced several 
milestones. The fair first showed a profit in 1891, and in 1892, a 
half-mile clay track was constructed. Interestingly, while the track 
was intended for sulky races, in 1924, female jockeys raced Kentucky 
thoroughbreds every day of the fair. In 1896, a new Agricultural Hall 
was constructed to showcase the agricultural industry. In addition, the 
Fair Office, the oldest building still standing, was constructed in 
1917, and in 1920, the present ``Heritage Hall'' was constructed. 
During World War II, the fairgrounds were used to house German 
prisoners, who worked to help the local sugar industry that was so 
vital to our war effort. More recently, in 1981, the Historical Society 
of Michigan designated the fairgrounds a historical site.
  Many people have contributed to the success of the Tuscola County 
Fair, including Emery J. Vandemark, the longest serving board member, 
the treasurer for 28 years, and the current 13-year President; the late 
Jay Kitchen, past president; Walter Jackson, president of the fair 
board and active 4-H member; James Fitzgerald, past president; Jerry 
Vandemark, longtime fundraiser; and longtime members Waldo Garner, 
Robert Nowland, Walter Putnam, and Frank Altizer, among many others.

[[Page 15453]]

  The fair organizers and the many dedicated volunteers over the years 
have played an integral role in ensuring the success of the fair, and I 
know my colleagues join me in recognizing and congratulating all those 
who have contributed to the fair for their efforts.

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