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2016 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS July 29 - August 6, 2016
By Angela Reiners
This year, the Logan County Fair, known as “Illinois’
Cleanest and Best County Fair,” marks its 80th
anniversary. Over the years, the fair has undergone
changes, but still continues to draw crowds as the local
social and agriculture event of the year.
Marian Haseley of Lincoln has been to every fair since
1937, attending the first fair with her dad and two
younger sisters when she was 14 years old. Haseley
said, “We had never been to a fair before; we were
so excited and enjoyed every bit of it. That was the
beginning of what will be 80 years of going to the
Logan County Fair.”
Haseley said, “There have been many changes,” [and
the changes] “always occur to make the fair better
and to adapt to times and circumstances. The fair will
always be grounded in agriculture, but seems to have
transitioned to have a more diverse appeal.”
Haseley said, “There was a time when ‘Main Street’
was packed with farm equipment dealers, seed corn
dealers and every other kind of agri-business. The
barns were filled with beef and dairy cattle, hogs,
sheep and horses. As the number of farms decreased,
especially those that raised livestock, so did the
number of exhibitors and vendors.”
Haseley said the biggest change was when the old
grandstand was taken down. She said, “I really miss
the character and history that it added to the fair.
We had a front row reserved box for many years
[and] were surrounded by the same families in the
same boxes year after year. We really enjoyed those
evenings. I especially liked the Society Horse shows.”
Haseley says, “My favorite part has always been the
cattle shows. My kids showed in the 4-H, Jr. and open
shows, and also exhibited vegetables and flowers.
Those were always busy years, but great times.
Seeing and visiting folks you don’t often see is also a
favorite of mine. And like everyone else, there’s just
something special about a corn dog, lemonade shake-
up and fries from Culler’s.”
Haseley says, “I also enjoy watching the judging of
the Dairy and Culinary Dept. and continue to do that
each year. I hope to be there this year.”
Harold Goodman, who is in his late eighties, has also
been coming to the fair as long as he can remember
Logan County Fair “Illinois’
Cleanest and Best County Fair”
celebrates 80th Anniversary
Marcia (Haseley) Greenslate with her mom,
Marian Haseley, at the 2013 Logan County Fair.
Marian has been to every fair since it began and
she plans to be there this year for the Fair’s 80th.
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