Since the White Elephant Sale and dance were so successful, in January 1952 the Highland County Chamber of Commerce announced it would sponsor a Fall Homecoming Fair in August of 1952. It was decided to include the “Achievement Day” program with the event. This marks the first official Highland County Fair.
There would be plenty to eat during the two-day event, with H.L. Mackey and Mrs. Ethel High in charge. Fairgoers were asked to leave their lunch basket at home and patronize the eats counter.
Mrs. Jay Hammer and Mrs. Virginia Rubush, the Home Demonstration/4-H Agent, organized The Achievement Day program.
As for exhibits, Mrs. G. Jesse Hiner handled the hobby entries. Mr. E.B. Jones, Jr., County Agent, was in charge of all exhibits, but directed his attention to farm and stock entries with the assistance of Russell Waggy and others. The fair exhibits would be placed and judged during the morning hours on Saturday.
Mrs. George P. McCoy, president of the local garden club, indicated the club would handle the flower exhibits. Rev. David S. Garland, Emerson Johnson, and Douglas Hebb organized plans for the patriotic athletic events, which would take place at the school.
M.M. Folks and Virginia Beverage tended to the square dance, and Miss Doreen Ralston would organize an Old Fiddlers Contest held during the dance’s intermission. Miss Ralston would also head the handicrafts exhibits.
Mr. M.M. Folks and Miss Virginia Beverage also decided to include the school band in the entertainment, as well as the presentation of a wild flower picture show at the Courthouse.
It was noted that persons desiring to open their homes to tourists were asked to notify the Chamber of Commerce, stating how many people they could accommodate.
From White to Pink: The Return of the Elephant Sale
The White Elephant Sale would return again, only this year, they changed the event to a Pink Elephant Sale. Any items worthy of sale were accepted and could include: harvesters, plows, harrows, harnesses, kitchen stove, parlor sofa, bedroom furniture, clothing, etc.
Mr. Winfree Gutshall, chairman of the Pink Elephant Community Sale appointed the following field assistants:
- Roy Robertson, Big Valley
- William G. Obaugh, McDowell
- Ernest Townsend, Mill Gap
- Luther Hammer, Jr., Blue Grass
- Robert Moyers, Mustoe
- Houston Smith & Marvin L. Eagle, Monterey
- Frank Zimmerman, Doe Hill.
- Mr. Jack Cleek and Marvin Eagle were vice-chairmen of the committee.
- The office personnel consisted of Mr. Garland Dever, Mrs. Janet Gutshall, and Mrs. Mamie Eagle.
- Members of the Boy Scout Troop No. 88 were also aiding in the Pink Elephant Sale efforts as they did in 1951.
The committee encouraged everyone in the county to seek out items to donate or offer on commission and bring their selections to the Monterey Livestock Market. In the event someone couldn’t deliver their articles, they were to contact the field man nearest them to arrange transport to the sale grounds. It was strongly suggested that this service be held to a minimum.
The rate of commission for items sold on this basis was ten percent on articles up to $250 and five percent on articles above this amount. Articles to be sold on a commission basis received a tag, and the owner received a stub receipt. Purchasers were to settle payment promptly at the office in the livestock market building and to remove their purchases as promptly.
Continued Efforts for a Community Center
In July 1952, it was noted in the Highland Recorder that the Chamber would “revisit a government housing project to examine a deactivated building that might be secured as a temporary community center building” until they could raise funds for a permanent structure. A committee of H.L. Mackey, Ralph R. Lohr, and John W. Coffman, accompanied by Mr. Clarence Malcolm, reported on their visit to a federal housing project. They noted a building, which was 24 feet by 96 feet, had been offered for sale with no takers and would serve most purposes of the proposed memorial community building. They ultimately recommended the building be secured.
Timing It Right
Later in July 1952, the committee decided to move the Fair to September 5-6. There were many reasons for the change:
- Both E.B. Jones, Jr, County Agent, and Mrs. Virginia Rubush, home demonstration agent, would be back from a trip to Blacksburg and could assume a greater leadership role in organizing the exhibits;
- Winfree Gutshall, instructor in agriculture at the local school, would be in classes at Blacksburg in August;
- Schools open September 2, and it would be easier to make necessary contacts with the school hands involved in Fair activities, especially the new band instructor;
- Farm and garden products would be more advanced and will make for a better showing.
A Medieval Twist
By August 1, 1952, Fair organizers announced “Knights to Ride at Homecoming Fair.” Mr. J.E. Arbogast, chairman of the Jousting Tournament Committee, received assurances that a number of experienced tournament riders would enter the contest. W.R. Hicklin reported on the rules governing the tournament.
Final Touches
During the August 1952 meeting, committee members voted to have “handicraft” labels printed. Additionally, they approved prize ribbons, paid advertisements, window display cards, and other publicity, which included complimentary radio advertisements, magazine notices in the Virginia and Virginia County magazine and the Commonwealth magazine, and ads in local and surrounding county newspapers. The monthly bulletin of the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. also gave notice of the Highland County Fair.
The Highland Recorder captured a statement made by a Highland Supervisor:
“With that kind of cooperation from our neighbors from other counties, Highlanders can do no less than give their best in this effort to make all proud of the county and the way people do things up here in the Little Switzerland of America.”
As evidence of their interest in the Fall Homecoming Fair, the Board of County Supervisors, at their August 1952 meeting, adopted a resolution proclaiming Friday and Saturday holidays in Highland County, so residents might be freer to attend the two-day fundraiser.
The committee decided to request use of the big tent being used in Mustoe for revival services to stage the livestock and agricultural fair exhibits. The tent would be erected on the lot across the road from the school with the same entry hours. Participants could move their livestock in the night before.
Other exhibits were displayed at Monterey High School, which houses The Highland Center today. Participants would bring their Items to the school between the hours of 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and judging began as soon as exhibits were in place.
Additionally, Mr. J. Ed. Arbogast, Mr. Russell Bird, Edward N. Pugh and W.R. Hicklin made final preparations for the Jousting Tournament. And the Chamber of Commerce made housing arrangements for those coming to the event, asking anyone that had an extra room to offer it.
All the Fun Unfolds
The 1952 Fall Homecoming Fair was deemed a success. The Fair and Achievement Day program were largely attended.
A sell-out crowd attended the Square Dance and Old Fiddler’s contest. Hubert Hull of Doe Hill won both the Fiddling and 4-String Banjo contest, and his brother Harvey Hull won second place. Whit Bogan of Mountain Grove took third. Carpenter’s Orchestra of Hot Springs provided music for the big dance. “Bob” Sterrett of Radio Station WTON served as Master of Ceremonies.
As was done in 1951 for the Pink Elephant sale, an hourly purchase prize of $1 would be awarded to the person spending the most money on articles each hour throughout the entire sale period. A sweepstakes prize of $5 went to the person spending the most money on overall articles. Practically every item brought to the was sold. However, the 1952 sale was not as big as the original event.
At 11:30 am, the oldest person present — Mrs. Thomas Sipe, 84 — would receive $1, and at 3:30 p.m., the same would go to the youngest person — the two-month-old child of Mr. & Mrs. Arnet White.
Due to the inability to clear the school grounds of automobiles, the athletic programs were greatly restricted to only two events — shot put and horseshoe pitching. Shot put winners were Tom Graham, first; Jack Herold, second; and George Shumate, third. George Hooke took top place in horseshoe pitching, with John Hevener awarded second.
The Handicraft Show had over 80 entries of beautiful knit and crocheted goods and saw everything from soakers to petit point work, homespun liners, table cloths, bedspreads, and more. Additional entries included paintings, wood carvings, hand-woven rugs, hammered-metal trays, basketry, and a wealth of other articles. Top winners were Mrs. R. L. Auldridge with 45 points, four blue ribbons, and a red a red ribbon for her paintings; Miss Katherine Crummett, with 40 points; and Mrs. G. M. Gilkerson also with 40 points.
Mrs. G. Jesse Hiner, chairman of the Hobby Show, recorded 47 entries, including a collection of Confederate paper and a variety of exhibits including money, button collections, vintage dolls, paintings, flowers and numerous other articles. Top winners in the Hobby Show were Mrs. Anna G. Coffman with 51 points; Blanche Hull of Hightown in “second high” with 37½ points, and Mrs. C.R. Sipes coming in third with 27 ½ points.
The event also included a community silver collection, adding to the days’ profits, which would ultimately rest in the County Memorial Community Building fund.
To open the Jousting Tournament, the Highland High School band led a parade of horses and knights to the tournament grounds, which were set up in the field beside the livestock market lot. Spectators paid a small admission fee of 25 cents to watch this modern-day revival of an age-old tradition. Tournament Champion Mr. Carl Hull, riding as the “Knight of Blue Grass” named Miss Charlotte Beverage of Monterey his “Queen of Love and Beauty.”
As part of the Fair’s overall closing ceremonies, the Monterey High School band, directed by Miss Sarah Lee Perkins, gave a second concert, located on the courthouse lawn. Following the concert, Dr. Mark H. Secrist, a retired geologist, presented a showing of color slides featuring wild flowers and scenes of Highland County. The slides were a collection of Dr. Secrist and Dr. Joseph K. Roberts, both of Monterey.
Note from the Researcher: Discovering the history of the Highland County Fair was an interesting project. As time goes by, so do many memories. Fortunately, the Highland Recorder published many articles in the early 1950s on the progress of the first fair. The information is found on microfilm at the Highland County Public Library, which is a great resource, however very time consuming and hard on the eyes and back. The minutes of the Fair Association were also found for some of the early years. Both resources were invaluable to reminisce of days gone by.
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