The 1952 children’s book Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Wilbur, a young pig who befriends Charlotte, an aged spider. Towards the end of the novel, Charlotte spins a message in her web above Wilbur’s pen during the county fair. Although her efforts do not win Wilbur a first-place ribbon, his owner and the community gain something far more powerful and important—personal growth, friendship and the beauty of community.
It’s a familiar story because these same values are found at the county fairs in MidSouth Electric Cooperative’s service territory.
The Madison, Walker and Montgomery county fairs and rodeos take place in March and April. These much-anticipated local events bring together community members young and old to participate in competitions and enjoy local food and live entertainment.
Much like the characters in Charlotte’s Web, county fairs rely on the power of community members supporting one another and working together to make each event a success (and you might even get to see a few pigs named Wilbur).
Fairs are family-friendly events that feature local agriculture, food, crafts, barbecue cook-offs, technology and mechanical projects, and so much more. These time-honored traditions continue to draw thousands of visitors each year while remaining true to their original purpose—promoting agriculture and educating the public.
The concept of the county fair was initiated by Elkanah Watson, a New England patriot and farmer. In 1811, he organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society and created the first livestock show in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This competition awarded prize money for the best oxen, cattle, swine and sheep. Watson started a movement that ended with almost every state having at least one agricultural exhibition.
As fairs evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries, concerts, beauty pageants, car shows, cook-offs, fine arts, parades, carnivals and other nonagricultural events began attracting more visitors, and the inclusion of popular entertainment, such as live music by famous artists and bands, drew even larger crowds.
Though the overall experience of fairs has evolved, the heart of a county fair still lies in providing educational opportunities to local youths through organizations like 4-H and FFA.
These organizations were established to engage young people in agriculture and to promote leadership, education and community involvement. Their participation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of these events and fostering a new generation of leaders.
“My favorite part of county fairs and rodeos is spending time with friends, family and getting to see all my hard work pay off,” says Sonora Imhoff, a Montgomery resident and active member of 4-H and FFA. “The biggest lesson I have learned is to have patience and control my emotions.”
The involvement of these youth organizations brought new energy to fairs. Young people began taking on leaderships roles and contributing to the overall success of the events. The competitions and awards associated with 4-H and FFA at fairs also helped elevate the importance of education and innovation in agriculture, ensuring that fairs remained relevant and forward-thinking.
College scholarships are often awarded at fairs and rodeos. The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo awards $2 million to the youth of Montgomery County each year through their scholarship trail ride.
Though local fairs and rodeos have a youth focus, there are ample opportunities for older generations to get involved. Adults can participate in competitions for fine arts, photography, horticulture and rodeo events, and many fairs have a special day geared toward older adults.
“Everyone is so welcoming and loving within the community,” says Hailey Parker, who won best of show in the adult show handicraft category at the 2024 Montgomery County Fair. “Everyone has different passions, and year after year, people come back perfecting their work.”
How does all of this take place? It couldn’t be done without community volunteers. Hundreds of volunteers work year-round to ensure our county fairs are successful. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer at your local county fair, MidSouth encourages you to visit your county’s fair and rodeo website and get involved.
Fairs bring people together. Though not everyone will have a spider spinning a web of words above their project to help them gain attention, if you look around, you can see how much time and effort is put into making county fairs and rodeos places of personal growth, friendship and community.
