Calendar Commemorates The Great Danbury State Fair

DANBURY — Memory Lane Collection LLC has produced and released a commemorative calendar for 2007 of The Great Danbury State Fair.  Running from 1869 until 1981, the fair was considered one of the most unique in America because of the variety of attractions it offered. Through this retrospective calendar, viewers will be able to journey back through time and “relive” the golden years of what once was the biggest and best country fair on the East Coast.

In 1869, the first of 112 Danbury fairs took place. It was based on the Fairfield County Agricultural Society’s fairs, and thus maintained an agrarian connection. it also added a new, more exciting dimension of games and activities.

Through the years the fair suffered a series of troubles, including fires that destroyed a wooden track in 1922 and the Big Top in 1941. In addition, the fair was not held from 1942 to 1946 due to the impact felt locally by World War II.

Upon resuming operation in 1946, the fair was under the management of the late John W. Leahy and was composed of three main attractions, two of which are commonly found at fairs – the midway, where rides and games are located, and the Big Top, which featured booths for food and other items. The third major attraction was the racetrack, a particularly unique draw. The fair also featured an assortment of geographically themed villages based on different parts of the world, akin to today’s Epcot AT Disney World.

Printed in sepia tones, the calendar commemorates the 25th year since the fair’s last run. The photos were chosen from the archives of Danbury Museum & Historical Society and capture many aspects of the fair dating from the late 1800s to the 1970s.  A portion of the proceeds will be used to support the museum.

The calendar is $12.99 and may be purchased at the museum gift shop, 43 Main Street in Danbury; and also at C.H. Booth Library in Newtown, FastFrame in Brookfield, The Barn Gallery in New Fairfield, and Borders, Waldenbooks, Artworks, and Putnam Imaging Center in Danbury, or by calling 744-6644.