Yesteryear A Return to
E xcitement raises the hairs on the back of our necks when those vibrant triangular flags and the tips of stripped tents become visible over the tree line. The buttery smell of popcorn is so strong we can salivate in the car just thinking about it. It’s an American tradition, an event embed- ded in our culture for as long as we can remember. You likely guessed it it’s the time of year when the fair comes into town. But have you ever wondered where these fairs come from? Whose idea
were they, and were they always the thrill they are today? What started in early BC Rome as “feria,” the root of the word “fair,” as a large gathering to celebrate and worship, has shifted its meaning and made its way into American culture. Somewhere between dancing for the Roman gods and enjoying our deep-fried Oreos and cyclone ride (like we do today), the American fairs were a bit lackluster. At their start in the 1840s, American fairs were
intended to cultivate the country’s farmers. Manufacturers showcased new contraptions, like plows and reapers, to promote efficient agricul- ture. These fairs resembling more of an educational seminar became so popular that local farmers wanted to get in on the event because what’s America without some good ole competition? What developed into farmers showcasing their season’s greatest bounties turned into a competitive charade that attracted the eyes of
46 • AMAC Magazine
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