Fair or Foul?

At the beginning of the 20th century, local agricultural leaders started seeking out methods to promote the farm-made goods of Haywood County. One of the methods they chose was a fair, established to honor farmers and their products, and it became a major part of their marketing effort.

In 1905, these leaders set aside 20 acres for the fair near the present-day Waynesville Middle School, off Sulphur Springs Road beginning at Government Street. Local residents and visitors flocked to the fair to sample an array of farm goods and to see some of the new inventions of the era: electricity, biplanes, Ferris wheels, hot air balloons, and automobiles. Many residents took their first rides in fair-sponsored automobiles for only ten cents per ride.

However, excessive gambling, rigging of horse races, and midway shows such as the scandalous Dance of Salome (for men only!) led to the fair’s end in 1915. Over the years, several attempts were made to resurrect it. Finally in 1990, land was set aside near Lake Junaluska to build the Haywood County Fairgrounds.

Photograph courtesy of Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society, The Haywood County Library Digital Collection