Drexel Community Fair turns 75, marking a milestone of hometown tradition

Round and round on the merry-go-round, sitting up high on the Ferris wheel, many longtime Drexel residents don’t remember a summer when they weren’t waiting for the fair to come to town. For Drexel resident Don Deal, summers revolved around the fair and now, as the fair approaches its 75th anniversary, they still do — just in a different way.

Deal, president of the Drexel Community Fair Board, said he remembers having to check in with his father at his Brinkley Lumber Company booth in the exhibit hall before heading to the rides.

His work with the fair began in the 1980s when he would help set up. He joined the fair board in 1992. In 2003, he became the president of the board and has remained in that position ever since.

“Somebody put it (the fair) on for me so it kind of gives you a good feeling that you’re able to put it on for someone else because it’s fun to watch these kids get excited about the rides,” Deal said.

The fair started in 1950 and was originally located in the playground of the old Drexel Elementary, which is now home to the Hallyburton walking track. Around 1954, the fair moved to its current location at 700 S. Main St.

For the Yount family, the fair has always been a big deal. Drexel Alderwoman Jennifer Yount, who stepped into the role of her late father Terry Yount, can remember her childhood summers attending the fair.

Her great uncle, Harold “Mark” Miller was a founder of the Drexel Community Fair. Marvin Krieger was also a founder and Dr. Millard Riggs was the fair’s first president. Her Father Terry Yount grew up working with uncle Mark at the fair and helped her grandfather Lloyd Yount sell ride tickets. When Terry Yount was old enough, she said he helped set up the rides so he could ride them for free.

“I looked forward to the fair every year. I couldn’t wait for it to come to town again,” Yount said. “We would always on Saturdays and Sundays when the fair was getting ready to come to town, we would wait for the rides to start coming down the street in front of the house and we would talk about ‘there’s the Tilt-A-Whirl, there’s the Ferris wheel, there’s the merry-go-round.”

Yount said she remembers searching for her dad in the fair crowd when she needed more money to play a game. But it never took long to find him because he was 6’6 and usually at the fireman’s booth. Terry Yount served on the fair board and dedicated his life to serving the Town of Drexel. He was a police officer, rose to police chief and then when he became an alderman. He passed away in May, but Jennifer Yount said the only year of the fair he missed was when he went to basic training for the National Guard. The fair was dedicated to Yount last year, which he got to receive before his passing.

THROUGH THE YEARS

Over the 75 years, there have been changes in how residents react to the fair coming, Deal said, but the excitement is still there. When he was a child, Deal said the hum used to be more lively around fair time, but that’s because people were more active in places like the community center.

“Now, you have so much competition with other things. Back when I was a kid, when we got the fair book, we’d read that thing cover to cover,” Deal said.

Even with the changes, Deal said he is thankful that attendance is remaining steady and that people are still coming out to enjoy the classics: the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and the Tilt-A-Whirl. Yount had the same sentiments, noting that the attendance does depend on the weather, but that each year there seems to be pretty good crowds.

“In some regard, it’s hard to have a country, community fair like we have,” Deal said, adding that B&K Carnival Company offers a mid-sized fair that’s perfect for the size of the town.

Deal said he’s also grateful that the fair has continued its tradition of offering free admission, making the fair accessible for everyone, especially families. Many community clubs and organizations also benefit from the fair, using the annual event as one of their largest fundraisers of the year.

“We’re still trying to stay as community-oriented as we can,” Deal said.

Yount said the fair has always been and continues to be a big part of the Drexel community. “It’s always going to have a special place in my heart.”

THE SET UP

Although people may hear the phrase all the time, Deal said it’s pretty accurate: “As soon as it’s over, we start again.”

Each year, the fair publishes a premium book, which is a manual that shows each vendor in the exhibit hall and other information about the fair, including its weekly schedules and advertising. He said getting the book together is time-consuming.

“You’re all the time thinking about the fair,” Deal said, adding that around this time of year, he’s out at the fairgrounds every day.

This year, Deal said there are some updated elements at the fairgrounds, thanks to a grant from the state last year. The barn has been fully renovated with new roofing, insulation, fans, and more. The only things left to add before the fair starts, he said, are a sound system and some lights to go around the outside.

FAIR DETAILS

The fair opens Aug. 15 and runs through Aug. 23. A plethora of rides, food, merchandise vendors, agriculture exhibits, nightly entertainment, and a fireworks show will be included for fairgoers.

The exhibit hall will feature sewing displays, baked goods, flowers, canned goods, and antiques available for sale, which Deal said is similar to what the fair has offered since the beginning. There will also be a good livestock show, which he said the kids really enjoy.