A Brief History of the Island County Fair

Island County came into being thanks to the efforts of Col. Isaac N Ebey at the Oregon Territorial Legislature in Salem, Oregon in 1853.  As the county grew, the various communities sought ties through social and commercial organizations and events.

The Island County Fair began in 1895 as a project of the County Horticultural Society. It was undoubtedly a harvest celebration, an opportunity to share. There have been a few years, primarily due to war, when the Fair has not been held.

However, since 1920, the Island County Fair has been held on the south end of Whidbey Island, mostly in Langley. At that time, the County Extension Agent asked all the communities to host a Fair. Only residents of Bayview were willing. A year later it was moved to Langley and a year after that to the schoolgrounds next door to the present Fairgrounds. The first parcel of our Fairgrounds was acquired in 1934 for $300 and consisted of a five-acre chicken ranch. In 1937, a WPA crew completed our first building, the Pole Building, which today houses our auditorium and offices.

Over the years we have acquired more land and built more buildings, but the intent of those first fairs still inspires the fairs of today. We always strive to change and improve the Fair, but it is our fervent hope that we will never lose sight of our beginnings as an old-fashioned County Fair.

As the Fair settled into its beginnings in the early '20s, a need to be organized soon presented itself. Although the first bylaws were signed in 1912, it was in early 1923 that the Island County Fair Association filed incorporation documents  with the state of Washington making it one of the oldest fair organizations in the state. The same Association has been responsible for the Fair ever since. Except for a small staff, the entire Fair is presented through the efforts of volunteers. Each department Superintendent and Steward in attendance during the Fair is a volunteer. The ticket sellers and 4-H club leaders are volunteers. The Board of Directors, which assumes responsibility for the different phases of the Fair, is volunteer. These people give of themselves because they enjoy being part of something worthwhile.  The Fair Association membership is composed of people interested in presenting the best possible Fair.

Membership in the Association is open to all who share that same goal. Our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month and our dues are $10 per year. If you enjoy the Fair, consider being a part of it. Simply fill out the Membership Application Form (.pdf, 62 KB) and mail it to the Fair Office.  We are always anxious to welcome new people and new ideas.  Drop by our office on the grounds, give us a call, or send us an email sometime.  We look forward to meeting and working with you.

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