A day at the fair
Friday, February 3, 2012
By Kaija Swisher/ Black Hills Pioneer
During the winter, I often make the days warmer by thinking about some of my favorite things to do during the summer months. One item on the list is local fairs. Memories of area fairs include touring barns filled with impressive farm animals, eating cotton candy and caramel apples and trying to win prizes through games that may not have been quite fair. Nobody really needs a giant stuffed version of Scooby-Doo, I guess, but just seeing those prizes makes it difficult for children to save their money and not try their luck.
Fairs are a tradition that continue, and from children to their grandparents-and even important elected officials like the president of the United States-there is something at the fair for everyone to enjoy. The Butte-Lawrence County Fairgrounds bring these events to the area each year, and from the start, this fair has impressed its participants, including President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge during a visit in the 1920s.Located on the floodplain of the Belle Fourche River outside of Nisland, the Butte-Lawrence County Fairgrounds is composed of a complex with a grandstand, pavilion and buildings for exhibitions, livestock, seating areas and more. The fairgrounds is on land deeded in 1919, the year before the fair was moved to its present location. Previously, the fair was located at Newell or Vale for the yearly fair, but when the Belle Fourche Irrigation Project was proposed, a site in the center of the project was desired, and Nisland, located on the Belle Fourche River, became that site.
Earl Nelson was the contractor for the buildings at the fairgrounds, and in 1921, the fair was held in September to allow for the completion of those buildings. Since then, the annual event brings people from around the area and beyond to its location to exchange and display agricultural knowledge, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and put on various fair traditions.
During the winter, I often make the days warmer by thinking about some of my favorite things to do during the summer months. One item on the list is local fairs. Memories of area fairs include touring barns filled with impressive farm animals, eating cotton candy and caramel apples and trying to win prizes through games that may not have been quite fair. Nobody really needs a giant stuffed version of Scooby-Doo, I guess, but just seeing those prizes makes it difficult for children to save their money and not try their luck.
Fairs are a tradition that continue, and from children to their grandparents-and even important elected officials like the president of the United States-there is something at the fair for everyone to enjoy. The Butte-Lawrence County Fairgrounds bring these events to the area each year, and from the start, this fair has impressed its participants, including President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge during a visit in the 1920s.Located on the floodplain of the Belle Fourche River outside of Nisland, the Butte-Lawrence County Fairgrounds is composed of a complex with a grandstand, pavilion and buildings for exhibitions, livestock, seating areas and more. The fairgrounds is on land deeded in 1919, the year before the fair was moved to its present location. Previously, the fair was located at Newell or Vale for the yearly fair, but when the Belle Fourche Irrigation Project was proposed, a site in the center of the project was desired, and Nisland, located on the Belle Fourche River, became that site.
Earl Nelson was the contractor for the buildings at the fairgrounds, and in 1921, the fair was held in September to allow for the completion of those buildings. Since then, the annual event brings people from around the area and beyond to its location to exchange and display agricultural knowledge, enjoy the company of friends and neighbors and put on various fair traditions.
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