Scott County Fair

Fair History

"Those were the days!" That's the comment you most likely hear from 'old timers' when they are asked about the early years of the Scott County Fair in Jordan. Big crowds, excellent exhibits, huge parades, exciting entertainment, and a variety of tasty foods were always the highlights of the early fairs. And, with similar educational and recreational activity continuing as features of the fair for three generations, this annual exposition has evolved into a prominent, valued tradition for the people of Scott County and the surrounding areas. The fair started back in May, 1915. An article in the May 13, 1915, edition of the Jordan Independent states: "A County fair will be held in Jordan in September this year. This decision was arrived at a mass meeting held in Mertz Opera House one evening last week. It was enthusiastically voted to change from the midwinter form of fair that has been held in Jordan annually for a number of years."

"In order to get going properly, see how much money can be raised to finance the fair and devise a general plan, an executive committee of 15 was appointed. This committee consists of the officers and directors of the Good Seed association and eight others, its complete personnel being: Ed Nachbar, G.R. Greaves, Reuben Frank, Henry Arens, Math Hennes, J.W. Lough, C.H. Casey, W.H. Varner, A.M. Schaefer, Peter Hilgers, John Loughrey, John Krautkremer, A. Schiller, John Allmann, and Jos. Beckman." In preparation for the first county fair in Jordan, the Independent reported that the beautiful acreage known as Schutz & Hilgers' park (now the Mini-Met baseball park) had been leased for a term of years to serve as the fairgrounds. A cattle barn on concrete foundation, with room for at least 80 head of cattle, was built. A horse barn of similar size and style was also built. It would, including the box stall, house 30 head of horses. Swine exhibition pens were built capable of accommodation 100 head of swine. A footbridge was built across Sand Creek, leading up to Water Street neat the M. & St. L. Railroad Track, thus bringing the fairgrounds into the heart of town. Autos entered over the bridge in front of Schutz & Hilgers brewery. The fairgrounds had been wired for electric illumination. Thus, the paper reported, everything was ready for the sixth annual and first regular autumn county fair of the Scott County Good Seed Association to open at the Jordan fairgrounds for three days until Saturday night. The first fair was considered successful with good crowds. George Vierling of Shakopee, who played alto in the brilliant Jordan Brass Band, estimated Friday afternoon's crowd at 2,500 and Saturday evening's crowd at 'fully' 3,000. Crowd for the three days was estimated to be 7,000. Exhibits were heavy with 91 head of cattle entered, 29 horses, swine pens overflowing, great showing of poultry with 154 birds. Entries in the agricultural department totaled 355. The livestock parade, at 1 p.m. on Friday, was viewed by great crowds all along the line of march through the streets from the fairgrounds and return. Friday's livestock parade was the hit of the fair. For the second year's fair, the Independent reported that a handsome new woman's building was built on the south end of the fairgrounds. It was 30 X 50 feet in size. Also, the cattle exhibition barn was doubled in size and re-arranged. There were 54 large double stalls on two 17-foot aisles, each 100 feet long. The capacity was 106 head of cattle without crowding and about 125 head by placing three small animals in some of the larger stalls. Attendance for the three days of the second annual fair was estimated to be 21,000. Exhibits in all departments numbered 1,607. In the early years of the exposition the newspaper reported that the entertainment end of the fair was noteworthy. There were entertainers and trained animals. Band concerts occurred every afternoon and evening. And there were free movies each night. The livestock parade took place Friday afternoon, the grand industrial and allegorical parade with floats at 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, the fire run and sham fire.