Shiawassee County
Agricultural Society

At the fifth, held in October 1854, there were 322 entries and total receipts were $81.25.

By 1860 the fairs were being held at Owosso each year in September until 1896.

For 50 years the Shiawassee County Fair was held in McCurdy Park, Corunna in August each year as a 4-H Fair and included a mid-way with carnival rides and also Commercial barns. The Society moved to it's present location in the 1990's on Hibbard Road, south of Corunna.

An agricultural society was formed in 1850 for the purpose of conducting an annual fair, the first being held in the fall of that year at Corunna.

At the fifth annual fair, held in October 1854, there were 322 entries and total receipts were $81.25. This was the first time that "pure blood" stock was shown.

There was no fair for a time until 1860, when a new society was formed and the fairs were held at Owosso each year. There were three differnt sites. The first one was east of Hickory Street to Dewey, between Laverock Alley and Mason Street. It had a large display hall , a half mile race track, but no grand stand.

When the fairgrounds were moved north of Jennett Street, between Ball and Pine Streets, William Sawers home stood inside the grounds. There was a fine half mile horse race track and grandstand. It also has a floral hall, agricultural hall, a stable for horses and stalls for all kinds of livestock and pets.

The last grounds at Owosso were between Main and Oliver Streets near the Gould Farm. It was established as a matinee race course.

In September of 1869, the 10th fair, was held in Owosso for three rainy days. All exhibitors of articles were required to become members at a cost of one dollar. Membership tickets, non transferable, admitted the members of one family, exclusive of males over 21 years of age during the fair. All tickets were purchased at the fair office, adults at 25 cents, children twelve and over, 10 cents and under five years, free. There was a night watchman to protect the animals and property.

In 1878, the 19th fair started on Wed. Sept. 25th, and was to run for 3 days. However, because of a heavy rain storm on Wed. afternoon, the race track was in such bad condition, it was extended to Saturday.

The races were as follows:
Double Team Walking Match.... one mile.
Double Team Trotting Match.... two miles.
Trotting Match.... 1/2 mile, four years and older.
Heavy Weight Race (1400 pounds and over).... one mile.

In Oct. of 1878, there was the second annual fair of the Clinton and Shiawassee County Fair Association, held at Ovid.

An article in the paper states that the Ovid and Middlebury folks are making arrangements for the approaching Agricultural Fair. The grounds are now enclosed by a new fence, lumber for a large floral hall, which will be enclosed and lighted by skylights are on the grounds. Large additions to the sheds and pens are being done.

In the 1900's, the Farmers Clubs held an annual picnic at McCurdy Park in Corunna. They were mostly political and musical. In about 1922, it became the Shiawassee County Picnic and in 1933 farm exhibits were shown. The one day affair brought about 12,000 to 15,000 people to the park. This then became known as the Shiawassee County Fair.

The first President of the fair was William Cline; Vice-President George Kirn; Secretary Edna Cooley; Treasurer Verne Brooks and serving on the board, William Jennings, Earl Lewis, Albert Boursmith, Clyde Norton and Charles Carland. At that time, E.R. Handcock was the Agricultural Agent.

Over the years several barns and buildings were erected on the grounds at McCurdy Park. It wasn't until 1935, that a carnival was added.

In 1939, the fair was held for five days, starting on August 6th. The Wade Carnival and Raum Brothers Circus provided the amusement. There were several large signs used to advertise one show on the mid-way that showed nearly nude women. The Sheriff ordered them all to be taken down.

On Thursday afternoon, a group of entertainers from Jackson Prison were to perform. Horsepulling contests, a tractor parade and on Saturday night was "thrill night", a spectacular Automobile Collision was staged.

On the second day, a record was broken for attendance. There was an estimate of 20,000 people on the grounds. All businesses in Owosso closed for the afternoon.

Over the years, the exhibits remain the same. In the 1880's, they listed horses, cattle, swine, and poultry. Also farm tractors, implements, buggy's, cutters, reapers, mowers, cultivators and plows. In Ag Hall, there were canned goods, vegetables, fruit, grains, breads and butter, honey and baked goods.

In the 1870's, the premiums paid were from 50 cents to $10.00. Today they range from $1.00 to $16.00.

The fair was curtailed from 1941 to 1945 because of WWII. When it started again in 1945, it was advertised as being bigger and better then ever before. It ran for 5 days in August. The circus was every afternoon at 2:00pm and the rodeo, every night at 8:00pm. Admission, adults-60 cents, children-30 cents. The Wade Show had 10 rides and 20 shows. There were livestock exhibits, saddle horse shows and parades and a dog show.

For 53 years the Shiawassee County Fair was held in McCurdy Park, Corunna in August each year as a 4-H Fair and included a mid-way with carnival rides and also Commercial barns. In 1951, the name was changed to the Shiawassee County Free Fair. And in 1981, the word Free was dropped from the name.

In the late 1960's, one busy evening, during fair week, and large biker gang out of Flint drove down the Mid-Way, causing quite a stir. They rode right into the Shiawassee River and began washing their bikes and themselves. Upon leaving, they announced they would return the next evening. However, when they came back, the Sheriff and his horse riding posse met them at the entrance gate, which changed the the gang's plans. They quickly roared out of town.

Over the years, many famous people performed at the Grand Stand, which had been built in the 1930's as a WPA project.

1988 was an important year in the history of the County Fair, as the board purchased 127 acres on Hibbard Road, just east of State Road south of Corunna.

Many individuals, 4-H Clubs, and area service clubs raised money in order to 'Buy an Acre', for this project. Several buildings were erected and the Corunna Rotary Club built an impressive brick entryway.

The first Fair at the new location ran for 8 days. Mid-way entertainment includes many carnival rides and a few games. Recent shows include Draft Horse Pull, a Tractor Pull, Demolition Derby Cars, and a few top entertainers and bands have appeared here.

The Fair remains a 4-H fair with many exhibits in several barns and commercial buildings.