Saturday, September 7 from 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday, September 8 from 10 am to 4 pm
Come one, come all to the great Historic Exposition & Agricultural Fair! The event will feature all the things a 19th century and early 20th century agricultural fair would. Presented in partnership with the Mid-Lakes Rustic Iron Club, enjoy threshing demonstrations, implement dealers with the ‘latest’ in farm equipment and technology, and other agriculture related demonstrations. Fairgoers will also experience sharpshooting contests, horse racing, baking, preserves, games, and more.
A parade through the historic Pinecrest Village will take place each day.
Fairs are an exciting time for any agricultural community throughout history, and residents couldn’t wait to show off their best work! Visit the exhibit tents, see ‘new’ technology being demonstrated, play carnival games, and maybe even join the threshing crew.
Meet familiar characters, horses, and more strolling the streets of the Historic Village, see demonstrations of pie baking, corn shelling, sawmill demonstrations, antique haying, view farm animals, and so much more!
Don’t miss this glorious celebration of the seasons bounty - animals, entertainment, food, shopping, historical demonstrations, and so much more!
General admission: $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, $10 for youth 4-17, children under 4 years of age are free. General Admission is always free for members! You can purchase your tickets when you arrive or pre-purchase your admission tickets.
Reserve your tickets ahead of time for a quick and easy arrival: Purchase General Admission Tickets Online!
The Agricultural Fair is made possible by: Bank First and CP Feeds LLC.
Enter exhibits in the Fair
The citizens of Pinecrest Village will be showing off their best work, and you’re invited to do the same! A premium list of projects appropriate for the can be found here (coming soon!).
Check out these additional programs related to the Agricultural Fair:
From the archives: Experience a day at the Fair
Fairs in the United States planted their roots in the early 19th century. The earliest fairs primarily consisted of demonstrations, such as sheep shearing, and livestock showcases, where animals were judged and awarded prizes. Fairs eventually grew to include a variety of activities for men, women, and children, from exhibiting projects they had created to shopping at merchant tents. New technology, music, and fair food also became integral parts of the fair experience. The United States hosted the World’s Fair many times since the 1850s and it fueled America’s love for the fair.
The items entered by citizens will reflect the types of exhibits that might have been seen in this era at a fair. Many farmers would bring their best garden and field produce. Ladies would bring knitting, embroidery, and other handiworks, as well as canned goods, baking, and more. Tradesmen would bring metalwork and woodwork examples of their work to be judged as well. Children might also bring projects they’d created, from artwork to stitching samplers and more!
Agriculture plays a key role in the Fair. From demonstrations of ‘new equipment (Threshing machines and reapers were once the latest and greatest)’, plowing contests, and featured animal showcases, farmers played a key role in the fair’s success.
Carnival games in the 1890s are surprisingly similar to the ones found on midways today, just without the bright flashing lights and spinning rides accompanying them. Games such as the ring toss, bean bag throw, and others are classic games. Carnivals and other forms of entertainment, such as a medicine show in the past, or a concert today, have a way of drawing in folks to see the fair who might not necessarily be interested in exhibiting their work. These attractions serve the important purpose of helping to bring the whole community together for an event celebrating the accomplishments and skills of their neighbors.
If you are interested in reenacting and/or demonstrating, call (920)684-4445 or email programs@manitowoccountyhistory.org for more information.