Pulaski County GaArchives History .....Hawkinsville Exposition 1935
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 28, 2004, 11:07 am

THE HAWKINSVILLE EXPOSITION OF 1894-95-96

   The history of Pulaski County would be incomplete without some mention of the
"Pulaski County Fair Association," organized in 1894, and of the "Wiregrass
Expositions" successfully held in 1894-95-96.

   This association of Pulaski's public-spirited and progressive men
accomplished a big task. A location for the fair grounds was secured and given
the name of "O'Brien Park." All the necessary buildings for housing the
customary exhibits of a fair were erected. Stables, a commodious grandstand, and
a half-mile race track were built. The stables accommodated eighty-four horses.
Visiting turfmen said they were the best arranged, most convenient and
comfortable stables

p. 63

connected with a track in the South, and that the track was not only the fastest
half-mile in the South, but in the United States. There were several fine stock
farms in Pulaski County at that time, and the track afforded an opportunity of
showing and testing the speed of trotters and pacers at the Fair. The
agricultural displays and Woman's Auxiliary were major considerations of the
Association.

   After three successful expositions interest began to wane, and for more than
twenty years the county had no fairs. In November, 1922, Mr. O. D. Hall came as
our county agent. He realized the need of such an organization. Beginning in a
small way in 1924, the Pulaski County Fair has today reached a place in our
thought which perhaps makes it the most significant and interesting annual event
of our local community. The year 1926 saw a county fair backed by a county-wide
organization.

   The Pulaski County Fair Association is an offspring of our County Chamber of
Commerce. The old location was purchased, including race track and athletic
field land. Grandstand, stables and live stock buildings were erected and made
ready for the county fair. In 1933 fire destroyed the buildings on the fair
grounds, thereby interrupting our annual fair. Under the leadership of our
county agent, encouraged and supported by the County Chamber of Commerce, aided
and abetted by our citizens at large, with enthusiasm and pride in our county we
rebuilt, and in 1934 held the largest and best fair in the history of the Fair
Association. Governor's Day was a red letter day in the history of the fair. The
main objectives of the Pulaski County Fair are to demonstrate the possibilities
of Pulaski County, to inspire our citizens, and to develop our natural resources.

   The Fair Association has won three first prizes at the Georgia State Fair,
one first prize at Albany, Ga., one first prize at Eastman, Ga., and first and
third prizes at Atlanta Exposition; also one of the three counties in Georgia to
be asked to have an exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from 
"HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY GEORGIA"

OFFICIAL HISTORY

COMPILED BY THE HAWKINSVILLE CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PRESS OF WALTER W. BROWN PUBLISHING COMPANY
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

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