McKean County Fair

	PHOTOS:
		Booster Club Food Carousel Circus Family Day Fireworks Group Shot Horses New Born Calf Rides Rides 2 Rides 3 Royalty Senior Day Shoot Sonya & Daniel Sonya Truck Weave
	RELATED LINKS:
		McKean County Fair Official web site

In August 2005, the McKean County Fair celebrated its 100 th anniversary with a giant birthday cake.

The first fair 100 years earlier was the dream of several Smethport gentlemen who wanted a place for horse racing and farm exhibits.

Automobile races were added to fair agenda in 1913. The tradition continues in 2005, and is an event that remains very popular, as does the Demolition Derby.

By 1925, electric lighting was installed, and a Buffalo radio station was broadcasting the fair events live. The 2005 fair saw Bradford radio stations broadcasting doing the same.

Over the years, the fair has been briefly interrupted by the polio outbreak in 1916, World War Two, and the Korean War. Shortly after the Korean War, the fair changed its opening date to September in order to take advantage of more stable weather.

The coronation of a McKean County Fair Queen was begun in 1967. The queen was chosen from representatives of the five school districts in McKean County, whose bands participate in the parade proceeding the coronation. The McKean queen then represents McKean County at the Sate Fair Queen Association Contest held in January of each year in Hershey. During the 1990’s, two McKean County Fair Queens won the state title in the two consecutive years of 1996-1997, which was the first time this happened for any Pennsylvania county.

When the fair began, the fairgrounds consisted of stables, a baseball field, grandstand and judges’ stand, and a track for the horse races. Midway attractions included two Ferris wheels, and a merry-go-round, and trains left Smethport for the fair on frequent intervals.

Today, the fair is several times larger than in 1905. The midway is filled full of the lights and musical tones of Power’s Great American Midway. Several stars have thrilled fair goers over the years on the grand stage, or the mini-stage beside the midway. These stars include: The Cisco Kid; the Gunsmoke cast; Charlie Pride; Marie Osmond; and many others. The Platters and Darryl Worley were featured on the grand stage at the 2005 fair, while Dan and Galla entertained on the mini-stage.

The McKean County Fair remains a tradition for many in the Smethport area. Children grow up and continue staying involved in the fair each year. Families work there together each August. Contestants enter their best exhibits with pride each summer. And the tradition is passed on to the next generation.

Whether an adult or child, there is always something at the McKean County Fair for everyone.