The First Bossier Parish Fair

The first mention of having a "country fair" was in January of 1899 when a farmer wrote "The Bossier Banner," expressing the importance of having a fair. He asked readers to consider the idea of planning one for the fall and inviting farmers to discuss it at the following Farmers' Institute Club in Benton. When the meeting took place on the 8th of March, it was motioned and seconded that the Farmers' Institute Club would hold a fair that fall.

In June, the club met and elected seven executive committee members to plan the fair, one from each ward of the Parish and Ward 1 of Caddo. The following were elected: Ward 1, J.W. Atkins; Ward 2, J.W. Jeter; Ward 3, N.W. Sentell; Ward 4, W.J. Johnston; Ward 5, J.T. Manry; Ward 6, G.S. Majors, and Ward 1 of Caddo, J.M. Sentell. The committee elected N.W. Sentell as chairman, Dr. C.H. Irion as secretary, and W.H. Scanland as treasurer.

That August, details of the plans for the fair began appearing in "The Bossier Banner," building the excitement. The fair would take place in Benton on Sept. 12th, 13th, and 14th. When announcing the dates, the writer admonished, "Every citizen in this parish should feel an interest in the fair and do all in his or her power to make it a success." The desire was to have an exhibit of something from every farm in the parish.

Preparation for the fair required a lot of construction. The exhibition hall was forty by eighty feet and two stories tall with a sheet iron roof that hung over several feet, providing shade and wire netted sides. There was a regulation half-mile track with grandstands to seat over 500 for viewing races and baseball games. There was an 'eating house" where the ladies of the Presbyterian faith served all kinds of delicacies, raising monies for the building of a Presbyterian church in Benton. Stalls and pens were built to house livestock.

The fair opened with an address from Mr. Rydon D. Webb when Governor Foster when circumstances prevented him from attending. The state agricultural association held a farmers' institute during the fair. A black brass band from Shreveport was in daily attendance. Each day a baseball game was played between the Ivan and Benton teams; Benton won each game. There were horse races, sprints, and other entertainments.

A beautiful oak grove near the fairgrounds was reserved for campgrounds for travelers who wished to camp out during the fair days. Local hotels offered reasonable rates. And special rates were arranged with the railroad; the Cotton Belt Route sold tickets at one and one-third fares, with a minimum of 50 cents.

After the fair, it was reported that "The attendance was greater than any one anticipated, even surpassing the most sanguine expectation of the managers. There were in attendance both Tuesday and Thursday fully 1000 people, and to say that there were 1500 present on Wednesday would be placing it at a low estimate." Wednesday was Veterans' Day, with special programs prepared on their behalf.

The first Bossier Parish Fair was a success in every way. To learn more about the history of the Bossier Parish Fair, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Can't come in, call 318-746-7717 or email history-center@bossierlibrary.org with your request. Follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on Facebook, @bplhistorycenter on Tiktok, and check out our blog, http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/.

By: Amy Robertson

The First Bossier Parish Fair

 Every year in October, the State Fair of Louisiana comes to town, but did you know that Bossier Parish had its own fair?

W. B. Boggs looking east on East Palmetto Avenue, Plain Dealing, La.
Bryce Turnley Collection: 1997.062.332

W. B. Boggs issued the following invitation in The Bossier Banner on Feb. 23, 1893, “In accordance with a resolution of the Bossier Parish Farmers’ Union, at the January meeting, I hereby call a meeting of the citizens of Bossier parish and South Lafayette county, Ark., at Plain Dealing, on Saturday, the 11th day of Mach, 1893, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of organizing the North Bossier Fair Association.”

“Every citizen is cordially invited and earnestly requested to be present.”

Officials of the Bossier Fair Association were John M. Sentell, president, Dr. C. H. Irion, secretary, and Mrs. W. H. Scanland, treasurer. A week before the first fair in 1899, they distributed posters throughout the parish to advertise and provide information about the upcoming fair.

Advertisements ran in the newspapers for train tickets on the Cotton Belt Route to the fair, such as this one seen in The Times, “On account of Bossier fair to be held at Benton, September 12th to 14th.. Inclusive, the Cotton Belt Route will sell tickets at one and one-third fares, with minimum of 50 cents. Tickets on sale September 11th to 14th., inclusive, with return limit September 15th.”

Dr. C. H. Irion, c. 1900.
Bossier Parish Library History Center Collection: Ed 007.004

The first Bossier Parish Fair was held on Dr. C. H. Irion’s property in Benton Sept. 12-14. The following account of the opening day of the first fair appeared in The Times on Sept. 13, 1899.

“Benton, Sept. 12. - The opening day of the Bossier fair was a decided success. The weather was all that could be desired, the assembled multitude was in a fine humor, and everything passed off smoothly and pleasantly and to the entire credit of the management.”

“Dr. C. H. Irion, who has been the leading spirit in this enterprise, has worked incessantly since its inception, and his indefatigable efforts are bearing rich fruit. As superintendent of the fair he is here, there and everywhere, and in connection with his able and active corps of assistants, nothing is overlooked or neglected in any particular.”

“It was hoped and confidently expected that Governor Foster would be able to attend the opening day, but circumstances prevented it. Had the governor been here he would have met a reception that would have done his heart good.”

“Excellent music was furnished by a colored band from Shreveport,”

“The opening address, welcoming the people to Bossier’s fair and capital, was delivered by Mr. Rydon D. Webb, and was a happy effort that won for the speaker the enthusiastic applause of his hearers.”

“The people generally, as well as the farmers, are taking great interest in the success of the fair. Visitors are numerous and more are coming from all directions. Shreveport is already fairly represented and many more of her people are expected to-morrow.”

“The hospitable people of Benton are leaving nothing undone that will contribute to the pleasure and comfort of their guests.”

“It is expected that the crowd will be greatly augmented to-morrow. All who wish to have a really enjoyable time are cordially invited to be present. The fair continues for two days longer.”

Grandstand and racetrack at Plain Dealing c. 1910s, used during the Bossier Parish Fair.
Beulah Findley Collection: 1997.054.045

1941 Bossier Parish Fair Catalog and Premium List.
Marilyn B. Light Collection: 1999.020.025

The Bossier Parish Fair was a great success in the first couple of years. However, the third year was not so successful, and the endeavor was abandoned until 1906 when it was reorganized. From 1906 through 1941, the Bossier Parish Fair was held annually in Plain Dealing.

In 1905, the Shreveport Times took up the question, “why not a state fair for Louisiana?” The very next year 1906, the first State Fair of Louisiana was held in Shreveport, and once the Bossier Fair was over, the exhibits would be moved to the State Fair.

To learn more about the Bossier Parish Fair, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

Bossier Parish Exhibit at the 2nd annual Louisiana State Fair, 1907.
Mary Wheeler Corley Colelction: 2003.026.141

By: Amy Robertson