Bondville Fair

The Bondville Fair is the oldest continually running fair in the state of Vermont. In 1791 the Town of Winhall received its state charter which, among many other things, specified that the Town could have two fairs each year. The Town was incorporated in 1796 with the first Bondville Fair being held the following year, in 1797. The Fair was held on day each October, and, after the National Grange was established in 1867, Grange Day in the Spring became the other offering. In its earliest years, the Fair was held at the Monteverde Hotel, west of the present post office. Foot races and horse races were run through the village, introduced by a band from Manchester. Then the Fair moved eastward, to the site of the current Whiskey Dick's Restaurant. It moved to its present day location in the 1920's, when Floral Hall was built. The Dance/Crafts Hall was was added in the 1930's, and other facilities through the 1980's. The newest structures are the Sugar House (1999) and the Schoolhouse (2000).

Life was hard for families on the Vermont mountain farms pre-WWII, so you can imagine how people looked forward to the annual Bondville Fair. It brought in a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, square and "round" dancing, games of chance, a horse pull, agricultural and handcraft exhibits, and much more. The Bondville Fair was known state-wide as a pretty wild affair! During Prohibition homemade hard cider of lethal potency was passed around freely. However, the 1960's brought sobriety to the Fair and exile for the less favorable events. Many folks have worked hard over the years to preserve the traditions of our fair. We would like to thank the members of the Winhall Industrial Society for their countless hours, dedication, and devotion to make the fair possible year after year.