| Fair
celebrates 80th year
The Idaho County Fair this year will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Cottonwood Stock Show, which became the Idaho County Stock Show and in 1964, the Idaho County Fair. Following are some news items regarding the first Stock Show from the Cottonwood Chronicle in 1934. These were last published in the 1977 Fair Special Section to the Cottonwood Chronicle. The Idaho County Fair really got its start back in 1934 with the first Cottonwood Stock Show. During those early years, the event was dependent on donations from local merchants for financial survival. This changed when the annual event became the Idaho County Fair. At that point it became possible to levy taxes for its financial support. The following are excerpts from the Cottonwood Chronicle detailing the activities leading up to the first stock show and wrapping up after. The Stock Show itself was held Aug., 24-25, 1934. Aug. 2, 1934 Committees of the livestock show report matters are progressing well. Stockmen have promised a fine show of livestock for the fair. Plans are for a big smoker one evening during the fair days. Some of the leading fighters of this part of the state have promised to participate in this entertainment feature. The big dance pavilion has been completed and will be given its official baptism Saturday night. Music for this event will be by the Larry Kaufman orchestra of Lewiston. Judges for some of the premiums are Mrs. A.B. Ruhoff and Mrs. Wm. Kelsey for Breads and also Dairy Products; Mrs. James Sager and Mrs. W.B. Hussman for Cakes; Mrs. Ed Buettner, superintendent for Clothing; Mrs. W. W. Flint for Rugs; Misses Hattie and Helen Reuter, superintendents for Miscellaneous. Aug. 9, 1934 There are 16 candidates for Fair Queen according to Dr. Loft, chairman. Those with some of the most votes are Doreen Kopczynski, 7,200; Betty Hussman, 4, 100; La Greta Duclos, 4,000; Rita Seubert, 3,000; and Patty Lou Hayden with 6,000 votes. Aug, 16, 1934 The parade committee announced that a parade will form at 10 a.m. each morning on east Main Street. A separate section of the parade is the Livestock Parade and anyone who feels they have an animal for this parade should contact either J. Matt Johnson, M. A. Pierce or Tom Gentry. Aug. 23, 1934 The stock show and fair opens tomorrow. The program starts tomorrow with a band concert at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 10 a.m. There will be a parade both Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Aug. 30, 1934 Cottonwood’s first annual stock show was brought to a successful close Saturday night after two days of entertainment. Patty Lou Hayden was named queen with a total of 41,800 votes while La Greta Duclos was second with 41,000 votes. The queen will ride a Shetland charger during the parade. It was estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 visited the stock show each day. |
 |