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History
FOREST
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The
first record of a fair being held in
Forest
was at the corner of Broadway and Main Streets in 1870. The
following year it was held in the drill shed of the local
militia. In 1874 twelve acres of land was purchased and named
Forest
Pleasure
Park
.
This property was used as a fair ground until 1909 when the
present grounds were acquired. The town of
Forest
bought the grounds in 1939 and leased it to the Forest
Agricultural Society for its annual exhibition.
The
1879 prize list offers some interesting prizes. A large
framed picture of Queen
Victoria
was the first prize for the best 10 pound crock of butter.
The merchant also agreed to purchase the butter at the market
price. A clock was given for fancy work and three peach trees
was the prize for the best two pumpkins. Another merchant
gave one dollar for turkey red wheat. Twenty dollars was
offered for a “farmer’s race” for horses that had never
won money before.
A
special attraction featured Miss Flo K. Tomkins, the greatest
female aerial navigator in
North
America
.
Miss Tomkins ascended in a hot-air balloon and then
parachuted back to earth. The last night of the fair featured
a stage play (usually by William Shakespeare) in the town
hall.
In
the late 1800’s the town brass band played at every fair.
Originally called the 7th Militia Battalion Band,
it changed its name to the romantic Forest Excelsior Band.
A
1903 prize list offered such classes as rolled butter, hard
soap, honey, maple syrup, union blankets, darned wool socks,
etched quilt, slumber robe, factory flannel, wooden pump and
buggy top.
A
Class “B” status was reached in 1983 , the Forest Fair
expanded to a three day fair by adding a Sunday fair
featuring a demolition derby.
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