Discovering the history of the Highland County Fair is 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.
In this blog series, we’re going to highlight to early years of this event to allow modern-day Fair-goers the opportunity to glimpse into the past at what the Highland County Fair was like many moons ago. Let’s start with 1951.
1951: The Social Event of the Year
According to weekly articles published from June to August, 1951, the Highland County Chamber of Commerce rallied the entire county including county officials to support a White Elephant Sale and activities set for August 24-25, 1951.
- Donations of homemade cakes, pies, jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, etc. were accepted under the organization of Mrs. Ethel High.
- H.H. “Benny” Terry and Andy Gutshall added much to the merriment and success of the auction with their auctioneering skills.
- The biggest cash prize of the day would go to the person that spent the most money at the sale.
- Mayor, Woodrow L. Gutshall, also chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, noted that “the purpose of the sale is to raise money to bring into being some of the major projects of the Work Program of the Chamber of Commerce, all of which were recommended by a survey committee, of which R. Turner Jones was chairman.“
- This event also encouraged the revival of the old mountain handicrafts as well as fund-raising for a proposed memorial service building to be used for community functions. Pleas went out requesting that all Highland householders start gathering up all discarded articles that are worth donating to the sale. Residents were to set aside articles they wish to sell on a commission basis at the sale.
- In the August 10, 1951 Highland Recorder, it was noted that the Chamber of Commerce White Elephant Sale had the full support of the Board of County Supervisors, who adopted the following resolution:
“We respectfully commend you for your thoughtful consideration the efforts being made by our Chamber of Commerce to develop a Work Program that has as its principal aim the Widening of Gainful, Pleasant Employment Opportunities here as that more of our young people may remain in Highland County, establish their homes and be happy, and to increase the Social and Recreational Facilities here. You are invited to assist the Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to successfully promote a Community—or White Elephant Sale on Saturday, August 25, 1951, at the Highland County Livestock Market, by donating articles to be sold, and to send to the sale other articles that you wish sold on a commission basis. We are advised that all of the profits from this sale will be used to promote the work of the Chamber of Commerce, including the proposed Memorial Service Building. Why not make Saturday, August 25 a Social and Festive Day by having the entire family attend and patronize the sale? We respectfully suggest that you do just that. Respectfully yours, Board of County Supervisors: H.L. Simmons, Chairman; J.A. Eagle, and B.L. Armstrong. Adopted August 6, 1951.”
The Ways and Means Committee voted to set aside $50 in cash prizes for the event. Kermit Hull and P.L. Mauzy were assigned clerks for the sale. Mrs. Reba Carpenter was asked to list the donors of articles
brought to the sale. Sheriff Glen Hammer will be in charge of traffic, and County Clerk Martin L. Folks will organize the entertainment program and music. W.L. Gutshall was in charge of records for the sale.
Mrs. Ethel High organized the food sales, and William G. Obaugh will arrange for truck service for items that needed to be brought to the sale. It was decided to charge ten percent commission on amounts
up to $25 and five percent on amounts over $25.
By August 17, 1951, the Chamber decided to add a dance to the event to take place on Friday, August 24 starting at 8:30 p.m. in the Monterey High School. Over $800 was raised at the White Elephant Sale and dance. Cash prize was given out to the oldest attendant, Mr. Andy White, and the youngest attendant, the infant of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Echard.
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