Next week, thousands of people will flock to the Grayson County Fairgrounds to enjoy the annual county fair.

And the county fair as we know it wasn’t always the party-like atmosphere it is today. In fact, the fair’s heritage dates back to over 50 years ago with just a livestock show and a vegetable canning display.

Board President Kevin Pharis talked about how the fair, held the last week in August every year, got its start.

“It started in 1950 on Labor Day weekend on a 40-acre farm that was owned by Talmage and Donna Lindsey,” explained Pharis. “At that time it was on the outskirts of town when it was bought. Woodrow Wilson was the first manager, but everyone since then has been called president.”

Close to 2,000 people attended the first fair at the admission cost of .50¢ per person.

Pharis said he was told it rained most of the time during the first year, and board members spent most of the night pulling vehicles out of the mud with a tractor.

The following April the fair became incorporated, and stock was sold to generate revenue that was needed to expand the fair.

Ten shares were sold at $25 a piece, and in two days 51 people had bought the shares, which were sold at the same price.

The carnival part of the fair did not start until 1951, and in 1952 the first Miss Grayson County Fair winner was crowned.

“Miss Etta Skaggs was the first one,” explained Pharis.

The first merchant building was also constructed in 1952, and it still stands to this day.

Pharis became a board member in 1997, and was elected as board president in 2007.

“The first fair had livestock shows and canned garden vegetables on display for showing,” added Pharis. “Now the fair has grown to an art department, grandstand activities, and much more. Our attendance for 2007 was 19,571.”

To date the non-profit organization that operates the fairgrounds has 165 shareholders with 176 shares.

New things added for 2008 are the Eudora Farms educational and exotic petting zoo, a cornhole tournament, and kid’s night bike give-aways.

Pharis said the fair is a way for people to come out and fellowship with family and friends.

One of his fondest memories of being involved with the annual event was seeing his daughter Jayme crowned Miss Teen Grayson County.

He added, “The fair was started for the community, and we want it to stay that way.”