Long before the thrill of the midway and the euphoric smell of frying food, the county fair was a celebration of local agriculture, husbandry and home life that cemented the community.  Bowling Green had not become the county seat, and the Great Black Swamp still prevailed when the new Wood County Agricultural Society formed “under a call issued by the farmers and mechanics of Middleton Township.” On October 15-16, 1851, the first fair premiered at a grove north of Wooster Street near Church Street.  Prizes were awarded even though the event lacked the amenities of its modern equivalent, having no gate, no fees, no buildings of a substantial nature and no lavish displays of produce, poultry and animals familiar to fairgoers today.  It was reported that on the second day, attendance was almost 1,000 visitors.  An unscheduled “horse race” on that last day, however, lent a touch of excitement to the affair as two stallions, backed with money by their owners, ran a half-mile dash along the Perrysburg Road to the delight of fairgoers.  Horse racing became a planned and very popular event at subsequent fairs.

Between 1852 and 1860, the Wood County Fair switched back and forth between Bowling Green and Perrysburg, with the exception of 1854 and 1855 when it was held at Portageville (Portage).  In 1854 a season of cholera prevented a successful fair, and the following year chills, fever and ague precipitated a similar bleak event.  By 1856 and 1857 Bowling Green played host, and after the second year a charge went out to find appropriate grounds for the fair.  In 1858 the Bowling Green site proved so unsatisfactory to the Portageville contingent that they formed their own agricultural society and hosted an exhibit at “Sargeant’s Grove” in 1859.  The fair was back in Perrysburg in 1860.  Fair planning appeared to have slowed during the Civil War years, and the Wood County Agricultural Society purchased land in the village of Tontogany where the event would finally remain until 1885.

Meanwhile, the Wood County Fair Company or Association was formed in 1881 by a group of organizers who felt that the county fair should have a central location.  The company’s mission was “the promotion and advancement of agriculture, horticulture, stock-growing, and the mechanical and fine arts.”  Sixty acres were bought from Charles and R.W. Gorrill on the west side of Bowling Green facing Conneaut and Vine (Fairview) Streets.  This scenic, shady parcel would later become the city park.  Buildings and a race track were constructed.  In October 1882, “The Fair Daily” or “The Daily Fair Sentinel” newspaper was printed on the grounds detailing among other exciting news, the anticipated hanging of local murderer Carl Bach.  Interestingly, the hanging would take place on the lawn of the county courthouse during the 1883 fair.

In 1895 the Wood County Fair Company and the Agricultural Society consolidated efforts while maintaining separate charters and agreed to host a fair jointly at the Bowling Green fairgrounds.  Receipts indicate that the popularity of the event continued to grow. In 1884 receipts totaled $3,889.30, and by 1905 they had reached $17,791.00.  Fair attendance in 1905 was recorded at over 50,000.  The 1912 fair crowd almost witnessed a catastrophe when a balloon ascension and subsequent parachute leap practically collided during their act.  Luckily both landed safely only fifteen feet apart.

By 1927 the Wood County Agricultural Society had taken over operation of the fair and was compelled to increase memberships at $2.00 per ticket or discontinue the fair.  That year, a crowd of almost 30,000 people were purported to have packed the grand stand and in-field for harness racing on Thursday of fair week.  The fair was no longer self-sustaining and needed the support of county residents to survive.  The issue was placed on the ballot, and voters said “no” so the fairgrounds and buildings were put up for sale at a price of $25,000.  Within two years the grandstand and buildings were auctioned and removed, with the exception of Needle Hall which remained when Bowling Green bought the land for a city park.  There would not be another Wood County fair until 1951. Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs, or 4-H clubs, emerged locally in the early 1900’s.  In 1904, among the first in the area was the Wood County Haskins School Agricultural Club.  Another, the Jersey Cattle or Calf Club, was tended by the Carroll Frank Family.   4-H clubs became the back bone of the county fair.  In 1927 when the fair was discontinued, the 4-H agricultural shows remained independently active in the area.  In 1947 4-H partnered with Wood County civic organizations in a show at the Fall Festival Days.  These agricultural displays continued each year, and by 1949 a committee emerged to reintroduce an agricultural fair.  The issue was placed on the ballot but was soundly defeated.

The embers, however, for a Wood County fair continued to smolder, and a new Wood County Agricultural Society was formed with representatives joining from each of the townships. In October 1950 papers were completed and officers elected for the new fair organization.  By 1951 the fair returned and was held one last time on the grounds of the Bowling Green City Park. Harness racing would also return in the early 1950’s.

Thirty acres were purchased east of Haskins Road and south of West Poe Road, where both the 1952 and 1953 fairs were held.  The thirty-eight acres, comprising the central parcel of the fairground property, were bought in 1953 with assistance from the county commissioners.  Over forty more acres would be purchased by 1954 to complete the majority of the present fairgrounds.  Members of the Wood County Fair Board then turned their attention to building up the property.  From 1954 into the 1970’s, utilities, many buildings and improvements were added including a dirt race track, grandstand (building enclosed in 1961), women’s building, 4-H building and annex, six pole barns, central administration building, as well as a Junior Fair building among others.  The fairgrounds have brought economic benefit to Wood County beyond just the annual fair.  Many event organizers use the facilities year round for a myriad of community activities – among the more notable being the annual National Tractor Pulling Championships. Fortunately the Wood County Fair has survived intact at the same Poe Road location for almost sixty years with its pork-a-leans, elephant ears, funnel cakes, waffles, French fries and other local favorites.  Thank goodness it continues to enthrall and entertain county residents with agricultural shows, arts and crafts talent, midway attractions, demolition derbies, grandstand extravaganzas and all that good old-fashioned fun right here in Bowling Green.