Origins and Early Years
When was the first fair held?
October 4–6
When did it become known as the "Western Washington Fair"?
in 1913
Did the Fair operate during WWII?
NO
The first carousel at the fair was imported from Europe in 1910.
False
Who started the fair and why?
Lewis Alden
When were Fisher Scones first sold?
1915
What was "Camp Harmony"?
Camp Harmony is a temporary internment camp for 7,390 Japanese-Americans
During the 1920s, Native Americans presented war dances and lived in tepees on the grounds during the fair.
true
How much did it cost to attend?
$1 per family
What strange attractions were featured in the 1910s?
auto polo,vaudeville acts, three-ring circuses, log rolling, and fiddler contests.
What happened to the fairgrounds during the war?
The Army used the grounds to store military supplies until 1945.
Horse racing was the most popular entertainment in the early years and led to the fairgrounds being built around a racetrack.
true
What was the significance of the 10-foot fence?
to construct exhibits and sheds.
Did the fair operate during World War I?
It did but delayed till mid October
When did the fair reopen?
September 1946.
The fair has always been located on the same 10-acre lot since it started in 1900.
False
What was the most popular early entertainment?
Horse racing
What entertainment was provided by Native Americans in the 1920s?
pony racing, performed dances, and told stories.
How did the fair fare immediately after the war?
The fair returned in September 1946 with a record of 100,000 people attending.
The first fair in 1900 was originally called the Washington State Fair
False