The Iowa State Fair. Imagine stepping back to October 1854. The air is crisp, and the landscape is a patchwork of autumn colors. The town of Fairfield, Iowa, is abuzz, but not with the usual clamor of modern-day fairs—there are no funnel cakes, butter cows, or chart-topping musicians. Instead, this is the debut of something much more humble and historically significant: Iowa's first State Fair.
Back then, the fair was a modest affair, held on six acres of land with a 250-foot-long shed and a dirt racetrack. Picture a rural gathering with a focus on simplicity and education. The livestock show featured a modest collection of 100 horses, 11 pigs, and some grain and implement displays. Nearly 10,000 Iowans—traveling by foot, horseback, and covered wagon—flocked to this event, eager to witness an array of agricultural and domestic achievements.
The entrance fee? Just 25 cents for adults, while children enjoyed the fair free of charge. The grand total budget for this inaugural event was a modest $323. (worth $12,080 today). Instead of the sprawling midway of today’s fairs, attendees were treated to a lengthy speech by Judge Thomas Clagett, followed by the chance to explore the six acres of exhibits. They roamed among displays of tractors, farm implements, and articles crafted on ladies' looms, and observed the judging of livestock, crops, fruits, and vegetables.
At its core, the fair aimed to be educational and competitive. Fun was an incidental byproduct rather than the main attraction. The founders, Judge Thomas Clagett of Keokuk and J.M. Schaffer of Fairfield, were members of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society. Although neither was a farmer, they saw the need for a state agricultural organization to promote and celebrate Iowa’s agricultural prowess.
A highlight of the fair was the equestrian exhibition, a rare treat for the time. Ten ladies competed in a riding contest, with the grand prize being a gold watch valued at $100. Miss Belle Turner of Keokuk took home the top honor. However, it was the performance of thirteen-year-old Miss Eliza J. Hodges from Iowa City that captured hearts. Riding a spirited horse and displaying impressive control, she won the admiration of the crowd and was awarded a substantial purse of $165 and other gifts, including free attendance at the Ladies’ Seminary in Fairfield and at Mt. Pleasant.
The following year, Fairfield hosted its second fair in October 1855, which expanded to seven acres and drew a crowd of 13,000 to 15,000 visitors. Among the notable highlights was John Deere's dual victory for best cultivator and a special recommendation for the Sharps breech-loading rifle, renowned as the “Beecher’s Bible” weapon.
Another Fairfield fun fact, to honor the Fair's centennial in 1954 509 people traveled from Fairfield to the Fairgrounds in Des Moines. This caravan consisted of 509 people, 471 horses and 40 covered wagons.
So, as you enjoy your modern fair festivities, take a moment to remember that the roots of the Iowa State Fair are deeply embedded in a simpler, yet profoundly significant, past. What began as a humble gathering of Iowans celebrating agriculture and local talent has grown into the grand event we know today—complete with its fair share of funnel cakes, butter cows, and big-name acts, all while staying true to its educational and celebratory origins
