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History of the Keokuk County Fair
What Cheer, Iowa officially became a town in 1865. By the late 1880’s, What Cheer had become a “boom town” due to the extensive deposits of coal in the area. Two railroads serviced the town carrying both freight and passengers. There were 13 mines in operation as well as more than 50 manufacturing and processing plants. Among the many products made were mining tools, wood stoves, buttons, overalls, shoes, and soft drinks.
Immigrants from several European countries came to work in the mines. The population in 1889 was estimated at 5,000 in What Cheer proper. Eight mining camps just outside of What Cheer added to the area’s population.
In June 1889, a group of civic minded residents met to discuss the idea of having a “fair” in What Cheer. The group proceeded to sell shares to raise money and elected officers from the shareholders. In the next 3 months, land at the north edge of What Cheer was purchased from Samuel McFarlan, a race track was graded, a floral hall, judge’s stand, an amphitheater, and barns were erected.
Opening day of the What Cheer District Fair was October 2, 1889. The local newspaper reported people poured in from every direction in horse drawn vehicles and on the passenger trains. Enterprising men sold rides to the fairgrounds from the train stations in hacks for 10 cents. The fairground was packed with people and exhibits. Entertainment included horse and bicycle races.
In the early years, the Floral Hall was filled with exhibits similar to those filling it today. The barns contained horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, rabbits, and poultry.
Over the years, grandstand entertainment has included concerts, thrill shows, circus acts, dog races, wrestling, talent contests, rodeos, harness horse races, and figure 8 car races.
The fairground is used now for a variety of interim events outside of fair week.
Harness racing has been a constant at the fairgrounds since the first fair. From 1985-1988, pari-mutuel betting on the races was held during the fair. There are 15 days of harness racing on the fairgrounds scheduled in 2024.
Figure 8 races were first held on the fairgrounds in 1991. There are 4 race dates scheduled for 2024.
Bingo is played every Sunday afternoon from January through March in Thomas Hall. Several family celebrations are held each year in Thomas Hall, also.
The largest event held on the fairgrounds is the Collectors’ Paradise Flea Market. It is held on the first full weekends of May, August, and October. Larry and Phyllis Nicholson held their first flea market in June 1977. There were 20 dealers plus food concessions set up in Floral Hall. Now there are hundreds of dealers participating from throughout the Midwest covering the entire fairgrounds. 5 concession stands manned by volunteers from community organizations serve food for 4 days. The Nicholsons retired from the flea market in 2014. Bill Ludwig is now the onsite flea market manager. It is now known as the ”What Cheer Flea Market”.
Current fair officers are: Bob Dugger, President; Bill Grubb and Susan Koehn, Co-Vice Presidents; Juanita Roland, Secretary; Roger Roland, Treasurer; and Jackie Culp, Rental Secretary. Other board members are: Betty Armstrong, Janis Collins, Jason Ludwig, Laura Tish, Patty Herr, Royal Roland, Joe Costello, Scott Leer, Curtis Maxwell, Dixie Shipley, Gene Roland, Keith Fisch, Linda Molynuex, Dara Fisher, and Gloria Strohman.
LATESTNews...
2023 Fairbook online!
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Rental Calendar...
2024 - Thomas Hall
January 7 - March 17 - Bingo - 1pm to 4 pml
February 3 - Private rental
February 10 - Private Rental
Debruary 18 - Board
February 20 - Land Auction
February 24 - Private Rental
March 17 - Board
Thomas Hall
March 2 - Freedom Rock
March 23 - Community Club Easter
March 31 - Private Rental
April 6 - Private Rental
April 20 - Private Rental
April 21 - May 1 - Do Not Rent -Getting ready for Flea Market
April 25 - Farner Delivery
May 2 - 5 Flea Market
May 6 - 8 - Inventory
May 11 - Private Rental
May 25 - Private Rental
June 4 - PrimaryElection?
June 18 Board
July 9 - Board?
July 11 - 14 - Keokuk County Fair
July 17, 18,19 - Private Rental
July 21 - 31 - Do Not Rent - Getting Ready for Flea Market
August 1 - 4 - Flea Market
August 5 - 7 - Inventory
August 10 - Private Rental
August 11 - Private Rental
August 17 - Private Rental
August 18 - Private Rental
August 20 - Board
September 17 - Board
September 21 - October 2 - Do not rent getting ready for Flea Market
October 3 - 6 - Flea Market
October 7 - 9 - Inventory
October 27 or 29 - Stockholders/Board
November 5 - General Election 2-5
November 19 - Board
November 28 - Private Rental
December 28 - Private Rental
Floral Hall - 2024
April 19 - 20 - Private Rental
April 21 - May 1 - Do Not Rent Getting ready for Flea Market
May 2 - 5 Flea Market
May 6-8 - Inventory
July 11 - 14 - County Fair
July 25 - Farner Delivery
July 21 - 31 - Do Not Rent - Getting ready for Flea Market
August 1 - 4 - Flea Market
September 21 - October 2 - Do not rent - getting ready for Flea Market
September 26 - Farner Delivery
October 3 - 6 - Flea Market
Fairgrounds - 2024
April 28 - May 5 - Flea Market
May 18 - Figure 8's
June 1 - Figure 8's
June 14 - 16 - ABATE?
July 4 - Figure 8's
July 11 - 14 - County Fair
July 28 - August 4 - Flea Market
September 29 - October 6 - Flea Market