"Those were the days!" That's the comment you most likely hear from 'old timers' when they are asked about the early years of the Scott County Fair in Jordan. Big crowds, excellent exhibits, huge parades, exciting entertainment, and a variety of tasty foods were always the highlights of the early fairs. And, with similar educational and recreational activity continuing as features of the fair for three generations, this annual exposition has evolved into a prominent, valued tradition for the people of Scott County and the surrounding areas.
The fair started back in May, 1915. An article in the May 13, 1915, edition of the Jordan Independent states: "A County fair will be held in Jordan in September this year. This decision was arrived at a mass meeting held in Mertz Opera House one evening last week. It was enthusiastically voted to change from the midwinter form of fair that has been held in Jordan annually for a number of years."
"In order to get going properly, see how much money can be raised to finance the fair and devise a general plan, an executive committee of 15 was appointed. This committee consists of the officers and directors of the Good Seed association and eight others, its complete personnel being: Ed Nachbar, G.R. Greaves, Reuben Frank, Henry Arens, Math Hennes, J.W. Lough, C.H. Casey, W.H. Varner, A.M. Schaefer, Peter Hilgers, John Loughrey, John Krautkremer, A. Schiller, John Allmann, and Jos. Beckman."
In preparation for the first county fair in Jordan, the Independent reported that the beautiful acreage known as Schutz & Hilgers' park (now the Mini-Met baseball park) had been leased for a term of years to serve as the fairgrounds.
A cattle barn on concrete foundation, with room for at least 80 head of cattle, was built. A horse barn of similar size and style was also built. It would, including the box stall, house 30 head of horses. Swine exhibition pens were built capable of accommodation 100 head of swine.
A footbridge was built across Sand Creek, leading up to Water Street neat the M. & St. L. Railroad Track, thus bringing the fairgrounds into the heart of town. Autos entered over the bridge in front of Schutz & Hilgers brewery. The fairgrounds had been wired for electric illumination. Thus, the paper reported, everything was ready for the sixth annual and first regular autumn county fair of the Scott County Good Seed Association to open at the Jordan fairgrounds for three days until Saturday night.
The first fair was considered successful with good crowds. George Vierling of Shakopee, who played alto in the brilliant Jordan Brass Band, estimated Friday afternoon's crowd at 2,500 and Saturday evening's crowd at 'fully' 3,000. Crowd for the three days was estimated to be 7,000.
Exhibits were heavy with 91 head of cattle entered, 29 horses, swine pens overflowing, great showing of poultry with 154 birds. Entries in the agricultural department totaled 355.
The livestock parade, at 1 p.m. on Friday, was viewed by great crowds all along the line of march through the streets from the fairgrounds and return. Friday's livestock parade was the hit of the fair.
For the second year's fair, the Independent reported that a handsome new woman's building was built on the south end of the fairgrounds. It was 30 X 50 feet in size. Also, the cattle exhibition barn was doubled in size and re-arranged. There were 54 large double stalls on two 17-foot aisles, each 100 feet long. The capacity was 106 head of cattle without crowding and about 125 head by placing three small animals in some of the larger stalls.
Attendance for the three days of the second annual fair was estimated to be 21,000. Exhibits in all departments numbered 1,607.
In the early years of the exposition the newspaper reported that the entertainment end of the fair was noteworthy. There were entertainers and trained animals. Band concerts occurred every afternoon and evening. And there were free movies each night. The livestock parade took place Friday afternoon, the grand industrial and allegorical parade with floats at 7 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, the fire run and sham fire.
The second year's fair closed on Saturday night with a grand ball in both the Mertz Opera House and the Harmonica Hall. Both halls and two orchestras were needed for the entertainment of the young folks with no fewer than 550 paid admissions. Dancing stopped promptly at the hour of three.
Shakopee also sponsored a three-day Scott County Fair which was started about 1897, and held the latter part of August each year. It was another record breaking year.
In 1920, Jos. Beckman of St. Lawrence township was named President of the fair to replace Henry Arens who resigned after heading the fair one year. It was another record breaking year.
The 1927 fair was a record-breaker in a department of growing importance, namely 4-H Club work. President R. G. Morrell and Secretary J. H. Grams were hopeful that year's fair would show a profit.
Shortly after the purchase of the fairgrounds at Jordan by the Scott County Good Seed Association for ,500 in the spring of 1930, a program of improvement of the fairgrounds and facilities was begun. Some ,000 in improvements were made, headed by President Morrell.
President R. G, Morrell, Vice President Henry Arens, Secretary Herb Strait and other officials invited the general public to the 24th annual fair in 1938, according to the Independent. As in previous years, vast throngs attended this year's fair and on Friday evening a crowd estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 crowded the city to see the parade and take in the fair.
In December of 1941, the Scott County Fair became debt-free. Editor John E. Casey reported, "on Tuesday Secretary Herb Strait and the fair's Treasurer drew and signed a pay voucher to Frank Wolf in the amount of 0 and another to the Northwestern State Bank of Jordan in the amount of 2.70 that wiped out the final vestiges of indebtedness this farmers agricultural society had."
There was no fair in 1946 as the fair board acted in cooperation with health officials in fighting the polio-myelitis epidemic rampant in September of that year.
Fairboard President Russell G. Morrell, Who guided the destinies of the fair very successfully for a decade died that year. Henry Arens, vice president, was advanced to president. Board member Edward F. Smith of Belle Plaine was named Vice President, Herb Strait and Peter Pauly were re-elected secretary and treasurer respectively.
Each succeeding fair seemed to break new records as did the exhibition of 1947. Gate superintendent, Peter Pauly, reported total cash paid for admission that year reached a new high of ,390. In November of 1947, ground was broken in the fairgrounds for an enlarged baseball field with lights. A 25-year lease was approved with the Jordan Baseball Association. About this time, the fair had become a four-day event.
At the 1951 annual meeting of the fairboard, President Herb Strait presiding, two new members were elected to the board of governors. Peter H. Pauly, former board member, and Ryamond Joachim were unanimously elected to the board for three year terms. Strait was re-elected president, Henry Mamer vice president, and Peter Pauly treasurer. Joachim became secretary in 1953 and continued serving in that capacity until 1970 when he retired from the board.
Much to the disappointment of many persons, the fair in 1962 was held without the customary Sunday afternoon parade. The parade was cancelled because the cost of engaging parade units became too expensive for county merchants to support. During the early 1960's, the sponsoring organization of the fair took on the name Scott County Agricultural Society, Inc., dropping the name Scott County Good Seed Association under which it had operated since the fair's inception.
During the 1960's the board began to feature more 'local' talent for the grandstand entertainment, rather than pay for professional acts that compete with talent regularly seen on television. Tug-of-war contests were scheduled with teams made up from throughout the county, tractor pulls became popular, and in the 1970's demolition derbies, which are still the main grandstand attraction today.
In 1972 the fair board purchased 80 acres in St. Lawrence township for ,000 as a site for the future fairgrounds. New buildings were erected with additional ones added each year for several years.
In March, 1973, the city of Jordan approved the purchase of Fairgrounds Park in Jordan for ,000. The Jordan Commercial Club donated ,000 to the city for a down payment. And in this year, the 59th annual fair opened at the new site in St. Lawrence township where it is currently held today. The first year at the new site was indeed dusty with practically nothing but bare ground to walk on. But, over the next few years grass was sown, trees planted, and general landscaping done that vastly improved conditions.
In 1984 officers and directors who staged the 70th annual Scott County Fair were Roger Stier, president; Oliver Rucks, vice president; Maynard Harms, secretary; Wm (Bill) Chard, treasurer. Directors were Rosemary Lucius, Jim Legg, Robert Kiewal, Michael Glisczinski, Wayne Ediger, Roman Wermerskirchen, and David Minar.
During the 1994 fair the mortgage was burned at an afternoon ceremony in the beer garden by Maynard Harms, manager, and Mike Glisczinski, President, and once again the fair organization was debt-free. However, in December of 1994, as a demonstration of their continued commitment to the county fair, the county board of commissioners approved a request from the Scott County Agricultural Society for a 0,000 loan.
So again, in this year of 1995, another large expansion program is under way. This includes construction of a new 50x90 foot home activities/education exhibit building and a 66x120 foot horse barn. The old 24x48 foot home activities building and the school exhibit building were moved to new locations and will be used as poultry and rabbit buildings. Other improvements are being planned for the grounds as well as additional programming for the opening of the 1995 fair, which will feature the theme "Coming alive in '95."
Current officers in 1995 for the 79th annual fair are Dave Minar, president; Tom Handrich, vice president; Roman Barten, treasurer; Liz Thaves, secretary. Board members are Kathy Anderson, Andy Breggemann, Rob Edberg, pat Erwin, Mike Glisczinski, Lawrence Jabs, Bill Koniarski, Rosemary Lucius, Joe McAndrews, and Tony Worm. Keith Thaves was named manager January 23, succeeding Maynard Harms who retired after serving as secretary the past 24 years, and the latter years as secretary-manager.
Currently, Koniarski is serving a second time around on the board. He was first elected a director back in 1956 and continued in this capacity until 1963 when he resigned upon taking office as a county commissioner. He was elected this time to the board in 1992. it would be remiss not to mention the work, effort, and involvement in the fair of Roman Wermerskirchen. An exhibitor for over a half a century, he also served a total of some 30 years on the board, with about 10 years as president. His last year on the board was 1988. Another familiar face around the fair for years was that of the late Wayne Ediger. A board member for many years, including president for a time, he also was auctioneer for the popular 4-H livestock auction during the 1960's and 1970's.
For some 58 years the fair was successfully staged at the park in Jordan, playing to huge crowds numbering in the mid-20,000. For the past 30 years, the fair has been staged at the present St. Lawrence site. Crowds have numbered about the same, in the mid-20,000 - 30,000 range, over the years.
And so, as the result of numerous past and present dedicated board members and officers who have volunteered countless hours of time and effort - and with the helping hand of hundreds of loyal supporters - the people of Scott county have enjoyed an annual fair since 1915. Indeed, for three generations this glorious event has brought competitive exhibits, thrills, entertainment and recreational activity, along with every present food to thousands of people, young and old, in a joyous and friendly environment. And thus, thanks also to the loyal support of fairgoers, this annual exposition has become one of the prominent and valued traditions of Scott County today.