I had a nice visit the other day with Jenny Wilkins about the history of the Grandstand at the Halifax County Fairgrounds. She began by relating that when she married her late husband, E. B. "Buck" Wilkins, in 1949, unbeknownst to her, she walked into a life-long job organizing and working for the Halifax County Fair. In fact, her wedding was planned around the October tradition. "He said he wanted to get married and what month would be good. I said 'October,' and he said 'no, not in October because of the Fair'." Thus, began their commitment to each other and a tradition. October of this year will end the reign of the Fair by the Wilkins family. The County has purchased the property and the responsibility will be theirs to continue the tradition.
For the Wilkins family, the decision has been difficult, especially given that 2007 marks the 97th annual event, just three years shy of the centennial anniversary. But, financial losses over the past couple of years was a key factor. The midway of 2005 was one of the worst in the Fairís history. The company did not bring as many rides nor game booths, and the weekly attendance dropped dramatically. Then this past year, with the best midway in its history, downpours on the weekís heaviest traffic nights, Friday and Saturday, reduced the crowds, resulting in financial losses. "I have worked the Fair for 57 years, and I have not had a salary in the last nine." Customary costs include fees for entertainment, cash prizes for many exhibit awards, and staffing as well as the hidden costs of electricity, water, and event insurance.
"The exhibit building is beautiful inside. [With no Fair] people will miss flowers, artwork, vegetables." In fact, the Fair was established in 1910 by W. W. Wilkins, Sr. A County Extension agent who worked with area schools, Wilkins Sr. asked students to bring vegetables and products from their farms for an exhibit at the Patterson Hotel, a three-story building located on the site of present-day Constitution Square. For the second Fair, a brass band was included and for the third, a ferris wheel was added. "Then the Fair became so big that the Town told them they had to relocate. The property behind the Halifax County Museum became the new site and it stayed there for years and years."
Geared for childrenís entertainment, the early years of the Fair featured exhibits and rides and a dirt arena where high-wire acts, dog and pony acts, acrobats, and tumblers performed. This was the course until the 1950s when the Midwestern Hayride came to town. Featuring dancers and musicians from Nashville, two shows were held, one at 7:00 and one at 9:00. Then came fortune-tellers, burlesque and hootchie-kootchie shows. "We had a special night where businessmen would wear red shirts to get into a special hootchie kootchie show. People still tell me they wish we had a hootchie kootchie show." Then, in 1959 the Miss Halifax County Fair pageant was started. The first two winners, Ruth Glass in 1959 and Byrd Lacy in 1960, went on to win the Miss Virginia State Fair pageant. But, the pageant was discontinued some years later because of disrespect from the audiences.
In 1957 Buck Wilkins and Dave Blount purchased the South Boston Speedway. When the property behind the Speedway came up for sale, Wilkins bought the property and relocated the Fair to its present location in 1965. And, when Country music was included in the lineup of events, the Grandstand and stage were covered. Musical entertainers over the years have included famous names, Ronnie McDowell, Guess Who, Charlie Daniels, Marty Stuart, Boxcar Willie, Jerry Clower, Grandpa Jones, Atlanta, and Garth Brooks. The largest crowds were seen at the concerts of JoAnn Castle of the Lawrence Welk Show and Billy Ray Cyrus. "For the show with Jo Ann Castle, we rented a piano from J. C. Howletteís. The stool had one leg that wobbled, and you know how she bounces when she plays. I was scared to death that the stool was going to break. Then, for Billy Ray Cyrus, a woman called and came in from California to see him. Seating in the Grandstand was full and people were up in the trees. That is the year we created reserved seating and built the extra seating on the sides."
"Buck loved the Fair. I asked him would he ever consider selling the Fair, and he said 'if I could get enough money, I would. He loved the Fair but I feel the decision I have made is not against his wishes.' The Fair workers have been there for many years as well. Some are becoming elderly and were looking at leaving." A family operation for almost 100 years, Jenny has a sad feeling about giving up the Fair. She even commented with a smile that she had to sign the papers at the funeral home, as a notary public was required.
This year, the Halifax County Fair is scheduled for October 3-7, and it closes with a concert by Country legend Ronnie McDowell.
As a note and in keeping with the feel of the Grandstand, Ms. D Productions is presenting a Country Music Jamboree this Friday evening featuring Halifax County native and resident Jimmy Glass and the High Country Band with special guest artist Audrey Auld Mezera of Nashville and the Appalachian Pride Cloggers of North Carolina. Showtime is 7:00pm, and gates open at 5:30pm.