Since its inception, the Cleveland County Fair has been a source of pride for not only Cleveland County, but for surrounding Foothills communities as well. It all started with an idea put forth by the Shelby Kiwanis Club in 1923. At the time, former N.C. governor O. Max Gardner was the club’s president and Dr. J. S. Dorton chaired the committee that would recommend merging several local fairs into one larger organization and event.

 

By early 1924, the Cleveland County Commissioners had agreed to lease some 46 acres of land that were associated with the County Home for use by the Fair. Of note is that other parts of this land would eventually become the site of today’s Cleveland Community College.

The initial plans for the Fair were impressive. In addition to traditional livestock barns and agricultural exhibits, space was also envisioned for carnival rides and exhibits as well as a grandstand where horse races and other large events.
 

On October 14, 1924, the gates to the first Cleveland County Fair opened for the first time and estimates from the time note that attendance during the event was more than 70,000. Every year since, the Fair has maintained its goal of providing an event that promotes agriculture, education, history, art and industry, in addition to a lot of family fun.

In the early days of the Fair, crowds would gather to meet the train that brought the carnival acts into town. These days, instead of train cars, the carnival shows travel via interstate caravan. Gone are the days of adult only shows and questionable acts with today’s event being geared to the whole family.

 

Early leadership of the Fair by “Doc’ Dorton managed to keep it going, sometimes even making a profit, at a time other fairs were struggling or even losing money. Utilization of government programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) allowed some infrastructure improvements to the grounds and facilities.
 

Attendance at the Fair has always been a positive trend for the organization. From that first fair in 1924, attendance increased slowly but steadily. By 1994, it hit its record high of 184,353. In recent years and despite a wide variety of other activities and events that compete with the Fair, it still draws more than 150,000 visitors for the 10 day event.

 

Another source of pride for the Fair organization has been its continuing efforts to maintain and improve the Fair premises. The Fair organization is a not-for-profit entity and whatever profits it generates, it invests them back into operations. This includes ongoing efforts to maintain and improve facilities at the fairgrounds in order to enhance the enjoyment and safety of guests to the Fair, as well as the many other events held here annually.

 

Some of the facility enhancements, such as the addition of Goforth Hall, improvements to the Dorton Exhibit Hall and to the Grandstand area have led to more events being held on fairground premises. As a result, and even though the attendance at the annul fair is not at the peak of the early 1990’s, total attendance at events held at the fairgrounds far surpass that.

 

The changes in the Fair over the years have been incremental and positive, and have aligned with that original vision of bold thinkers from 1923. It makes one pause to be thankful for vision, for perseverance in times of adversity and for continuing a tradition that is a part of our history, and of who we are.

 

It’s a new day at the Cleveland County Fair!