Chapter Nine - The Highlands County Fair
While the Highlands County Fair is operated under a separate charter and a separate corporation, it is an activity that was started and has been continuously promoted and operated by the members of the Sebring Firemen, Inc., since the fair was chartered in 1937.
Prior to this time, the County Agent, Louis Alsmeyer and Commissioner A. L. Butler, promoted and managed a fair at Lakemont for some years in the late 1920’s. The list of sponsors of these fairs was mighty impressive but the work was all done by a few and, generally speaking, most fairs of the high calibre of those managed by Mr. Alsmeyer, were not self-supporting. Whether the project was abandoned for lack of funds or cooperation, is not known but there was a time gap of several years when no fairs were held.
The Firemen had sponsored a carnival during the boom on the block where the Tourist Club is now located but later refused several times to lend their name to similar projects as they felt that they performed no beneficial service to the city even though the public seemed to patronize them generously, thereby indicating that they wanted something of this type of amusement.
In December 1936, the advance representatives of a carnival company contacted the president of the Firemen, stating that if the Firemen did not sponsor their carnival, they would pay the license and operate independently. At this point, the idea of reviving the County fair was considered and the contracts were signed.
Firemen who were active at the time of the first fair (in 1937) will long remember the problems experienced by the committees in charge of this project. As the men were all inexperienced in this line of endeavor, it is understandable that some mistakes should be made and, except for the ability and determination of Elton Weaver, one mistake could have wrecked the entire future of the County fair. The carnival company had been investigated properly and appeared to be reliable but it is presumed that they sensed the inexperience of the Firemen because they failed to meet their financial responsibilities to the local group and left town without settling their obligations. However, Elton followed them doggedly from one location to another until he collected the money due the Department.
With the help of the County Agent and others, the first fair, which was held at the north end of Ridgewood Drive, was an unqualified success. Every member of the Department shared in the work, some by publishing an attractive premium book, others by taking tickets at each of the shows and rides and some by promoting exhibits. Among those who checked the admissions on the "Girl Show" each night, was George ("Geeky") Shurtliff, a close relative of Rex Beach and an ardent associate member of the Department. Each day, Geeky would arrive promptly in a chauffeured limousine and take up his work as faithfully and untiring as any other member. When the lights went out at the end of the long day, his limousine would come to pick him up. This was symbolic of the spirit that was displayed by all Firemen and which has encouraged public co-operation, not only for the Fair but all other projects.
After two years at the Ridgewood Drive location, the Fair was moved to the corner of Lemon and Orange streets for one season but this was not a desirable location because of the need for parking space which was not available at this point. It was suggested that the Fair be moved to Firemen’s Field but the property the Firemen owned at that time, included only the baseball area and it would have ruined the diamond if the tents were erected there so the Firemen began the task of acquiring the property between the diamond and Kenilworth Blvd. Whereas, the property on which the ball field was located had been bought as one solid block of lots, the proposed addition was in a large number of individual ownerships, and many of the owners of these lots were out-of-town residents. Through the persistent efforts of Payne Sebring and Ford Heacock, all the parcels were finally acquired some by trades, some by tax deeds and some by purchase.
At the time, there was some minor criticism to the effect that the Firemen were buying more land than was needed but now it can easily be seen that efforts should have been made to acquire more for needed expansion.
One of the biggest of the early problems was the use of tents as exhibit areas. The rental of tents of sufficient size was expensive but this was the least of the troubles. They leaked in the event of rain, so exhibits were spoiled. They could not be properly secured or guarded so articles of value were stolen and livestock owners refused to show animals as the flapping of the canvas frightened them and the owners felt that tents were not safe enough. It was evident that permanent buildings were essential if the Fair was to continue.
In the fall of 1948, a contract was awarded to Miles Baker to build a concrete block building 40’ X 200’ for $8,100.00. By the end of the year, the structure was finished and dedicated. When it came time to pay Miles on the contract, he would accept only $7,450.00 which represented merely the costs of construction.
The money to pay for this structure had been borrowed but it was all repaid by the end of 1954 so the machinery to build a second exhibit hail (this one for cattle) was put in motion. This was a prefabricated steel building 50’ X 100’, erected at a cost of $9,045.00. Through the good offices and hard work of Howard Livingston, a bureau of the State government bore half the cost of the cattle exhibit hall.
New interest in the Fair was created and exhibits could be planned with assurance of safety so need for more space was certain. Howard Livingston again went to work and received confirmation that the State would accept responsibility for $7,500.00 of the $17,954.00 which was the cost of the third permanent structure which was also of steel construction. It was completed in time for the 1957 Fair.
One of the features of recent Fairs has been the selection of a Beauty Queen and a special stage was built between two exhibit buildings for this pageant. This stage and the buildings have also been useful for purposes other than the Fairs. During race seasons, one of them housed some of the racing cars. Another is used throughout the year as a headquarters and repair depot for the equipment of one of the road districts of the County. On one occasion, a Bible School held a summer conference in one of the structures.
At this time (the end of 1961) plans are in the making for a fourth large, permanent structure, which is estimated to cost more than $20,000.00.
The Highlands County Fair is growing steadily in size an importance with each year’s showing.