MICHAEL E. POWELL

According to information on the American Folklife Center's 'Local Legacies' web site (https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200003238/), the Cleveland County Fair began as, "...the brainchild of the Shelby Kiwanis Club in 1924," and "...has grown every year since then in size, number of activities, and attendance." The Fair's official info states the Fair was started in 1924. That puts this long-running, fun-filled local event at
almost a century old and counting!

This year, the eleven days of entertainment starts Thursday, Sept. 28, and runs through to Sunday, Oct. 8.

The information - originally submitted to the web site by Rep. Sue Myrick, (9th District), continued, by noting, "...Dr. J.S. Dorton managed the fair through its 38th year until his death in 1961. Through the Fair, 'Doc' encouraged the breeding of purebred cattle and swine. He felt the need for improving seed crops as well, and saw a future in raising a better staple cotton and more cotton per acre. When the WPA-constructed two-story rock exhibit building and grandstand burned on Christmas Eve 1951, Doc immediately planned a new grandstand."

With a great history driving it on, the earliest fairs brought the Rockettes straight from New York City to the county fair-grounds, with the ladies staying in local homes.

It was noted in some of the fair's earlier history, that "...during the early years, everybody went to the fair early and stayed 'til closing time," or 10 p.m., a night ended by the "dazzling fireworks." As the age of television grew, fairgoers became harder to please, so diversity in entertainment wound up being the answer. In the 1950s, grandstand shows featured such crowd-pleasers as demolition derbies, stock car races, Indianapolis Speedway-style racing, harness racing, rodeos and variety shows, all of which, it was said, "appealed to the popular tastes."

Rep. Myrick's words further stated (on the web site), "The Cleveland County Fair is a showcase of Americana. True to its roots, it sports carnival rides, a grandstand, a livestock barn and exhibits in agriculture, education, industry, art, and history. Having grown from a five-day event in 1924 to a 10-day show today, the 1990s saw a record-breaking attendance of almost 185,000."

As per its advertising and hype, it stands today, "As one of the largest county fairs in

North Carolina, and "...is a tradition for families to spend time together on fun rides, playing carnival games, and of course, eating candy apples and funnel cakes."

Fair officials have noted that the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair has had - in the past years - record attendance with an estimated 150,000 people attending the 11-day event at one time.

"Not only is the Fair a local draw," stated one Fair official, "...but people from across N.C., and S.C. come to enjoy the family fun, making the fair a major tourist attraction."

Some of the more popular questions asked about the Cleveland County Fair are: How much does parking cost at the fair? Well, parking is free on fairgrounds, with paid parking being located across the street at Cleveland Community College.

Many wish to know if their pet can come to the fair? Sadly, no. Only certified service dogs are allowed at the Fair,
according to Fair officials.

As for alcohol, well, that is a big No-No. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the fair! Weapons too... absolutely no weapons of any kind are allowed at the fair.

"We are handicap accessible with handicap parking on the grounds," said a Fair official, who wished to remain anony-mous." "Persons in a wheelchair and the person pushing the wheel chair get in free." Unfortunately, the Fair does not have strollers or wheelchairs for rent.

As for accepting credit cards at the Fair, the answer is a resounding, "Yes." They do accept credit cards in the office and at the entrance gates. However, officials also said to take note that vendors and the Midway may vary, so be prepared for that.

Lastly, it was noted by said officials that if you are going to the Fair, please wear comfortable shoes, bring a jacket and go to http://www.clevelandcountyfair.com to learn about parking, hours, entertainment schedule and ticket prices.

(Additional information from http://www.clevelandcountyfair.com.)