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2010 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 269
Commending the South Central Fair on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2010
Agreed to by the Senate, February 25, 2010

 

WHEREAS, the South Central Fair, a four-county fair held in early October each year, will celebrate its historic 100th anniversary in 2011; and

WHEREAS, “Something for everyone and always in October” has been the South Central Fair’s motto since its founding in 1911; the fair has been a fall treasure that has taken place every year except in 1943 and 1944, due to World War II, and in 1954, 1964, and 2004, when it was interrupted by hurricanes; and

WHEREAS, the Mecklenburg County Fair was established in the early 1900s, when Mecklenburg County farmers and their families gathered to compete with their neighbors to determine who would claim the coveted blue ribbons for raising the best livestock and fowl, growing the largest vegetables, and making the tastiest pies, cakes, jellies, and other high-quality products of the farm; and

WHEREAS, in 1912 the present 25-acre fairground site in Chase City was secured and permanent pavilions were constructed; and by 1927, the fair became known as the Tri-County Fair and included Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg Counties; and

WHEREAS, since its founding in 1958, the Miss South Central Fair Scholarship Pageant has been a popular mainstay of the fair; two winners have gone on to be crowned Miss Virginia and two have been first runners-up to the state title; and

WHEREAS, Brunswick County joined as a participating county in 1959 and the exciting event gained momentum and attendance, as well as its present name, the South Central Fair;  a festive parade down Main Street in Chase City kicked off the four-day, four-night event; and

WHEREAS, though the fairgrounds of the South Central Fair have remained the same over the years, concession stands, restrooms, exhibit halls, and offices have been added and renovated as necessary; the present gate was installed in 1955 and a new grandstand area with covered stage was built in 1997; and

WHEREAS, past South Central Fair exhibits have been both educational and fun, and as varied as a replica of the new Buggs Island Dam in 1949, and an entry by a Boydton exhibitor of an eight-foot South American python skeleton in 1963; and

WHEREAS, popular attractions at the fair have varied as well, including professional horse racing, a fancy barn dance, a tractor pull, boxing gorillas, an old-time turkey shoot, helicopter rides, a western-style rodeo, a demolition derby, and acrobat and daredevil acts; and

WHEREAS, in 2003 an important competition for youth was launched, the Agricultural Science Fair, where local elementary, middle, and high school students explain their agricultural or science project to a panel of judges and fairgoers to win cash awards, trophies, and recognition; and

WHEREAS, the South Central Fair has been a boon to Brunswick, Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg Counties and their citizens by supporting local farmers, promoting area merchants, attracting visitors to the area, uniting the community, and creating fundraising opportunities for civic groups; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and recognize the South Central Fair and its many sponsors and supporters on the occasion of the fair’s historic 100th anniversary in 2011; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the South Central Fair Association as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations and best wishes for continued success.