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www.shelbyinfo.com Our 41st Year • Issue No. 38 • September 19, 2024
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Clev. Co. Fair celebrates 100th anniversary By Alan Hodge Strike up the band because the Cleveland County Fair is hitting the century mark of operation this year. The centennial show will open the gates at its traditional location, 1751 E. Marion St., in Shelby on Thursday, Sept. 26 and will be providing fun, food, agricultural displays, music, and mechanical merriment until closing day on Sunday, Oct. 6. The first fair was held in 1924, with 70,000 people in attendance. What’s interesting is the population of Cleveland County in 1920 was just around 50,000 folks, proving the fair was drawing fans from the entire region. Attendance last year was 120,000 folks with about 130,000 expected this year depending on the weather. It’s the largest county fair in North
Carolina. The idea for a fair to celebrate Cleveland County’s rich agricultural tradition and to give people a chance to mingle and kick up their heels was hatched in 1923. That’s when the Shelby Kiwanis Club developed a plan to create a county-wide fair combining the Boiling Springs, Fallston, and Union community fairs into one event. Through the sales of $20 shares of stock, $15,000 was raised to establish the Cleveland County Fair. To run the fair, organizers named Shelby veterinarian J.S. Dorton manager. Dorton held the post for 38 years. His accomplishments included overseeing construction of the grandstand, racetrack and livestock barn with exhibit halls - all in the short span of six months. The fair’s current manager is Bobby Jenks. He’s Kids of all ages will enjoy the wide variety of been on the job rides at this year’s Fair. for 12 years. Jenks
The color, action, entertainment and education of the 100th annual Cleveland County Fair will kick-off Thursday, Sept. 26 in Shelby. (All photos provided) shared his thoughts on what the fair means to Cleveland County and beyond. “People from surrounding counties attend this fair every year,” said Jenks. “While here they support local businesses and organizations. Vendors travel from all over the country to work at this fair. While here they purchase food, supplies, and materials to upgrade equipment. Recently the athletics department at Cleveland Community College has started charging for parking on the college campus and the money is used to support the
athletic programs at the college. Over the years other organizations like the Cleveland County Cattlemen’s Association have had booths to fundraise as well. Probably, the most important thing is kids competing in showmanship categories. While participating in these events they learn about the animals as well as many life lessons like responsibility and hard work. My granddaughter, Kelsey Beam is very excited to enter her first painting in the participation category in Cleveland County Fair office employees Mot Davis (right) and the exhibit hall.
Agricultural exhibits are a big part of the The demolition derby is a perennially popular Cleveland County Fair activity. Cleveland County Fair.
Savannah Pothier with a vintage See FAIR, Page 6 fair poster
Folks lining up last year to get their Fair tickets.
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