Berlin Fair Will Reopen Gates Today

Event Sponsored by Lions Club Resumes After 30- Year Lapse

Friday October 7, 1949
Source: The Hartford Courant
Original: Article [1.7 MB]

Berlin, Oct. 6. -(Special.)- The Berlin Fair sponsored by Berlin Lions Club will reopen today for the first time since it was discontinued in 1919.

The fair, which will run for three days, will try to recapture the spirit of the old fairs and will reproduce as nearly as possible the old attractions that made the Berlin Fair of the early century so popular.

A feature of the old fair was the balloon ascension with a parachute jump. The Lions Club brought back this attraction and has an old ascension balloon anchored to its midway. Feature of this fair will be an ascension and jump.

First Fair in 1886

The Berlin Fair first started in 1886 and was an annual event until 1919. It was first known as the Berlin Agricultural Society Fair, but in 1908 it became known as the Berlin State Fair when the society affiliated with the State Agricultural Society. One of the old exhibitions was the handwriting of school children which was exhibited to the public. Strange as it may seem now, this was a great attractions.

The program for the revived fair will include a band concert, outdoor acts, rides on the midway, livestock and produce shows, and various contests.

The fair will get underway today at 1 p.m. with a parade of old cars. Entered in the parade will be a 1921 Ford decorated with the Lions Club insignia, advertising the fair. THis car has won several prizes in old car exhibitions.

Following the parade, cattle drawing contests, a bicycle parade and a rodeo will be launched. The balloon ascension and parachute jump will take place at 3:30 p.m. The midway and concessions will remain open until midnight.

Sunday, the final day of the fair, will be featured by several concerts, the balloon and parachute jump, and an auction of donated produce. The fair will close at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.