Citrus County Fair

History of the Citrus County Fair:

The first minutes found with reference to the Citrus County Fair are dated October 5, 1920. Mr. Dorsett, County Extension Agent, was advising the Board of County Commissioners of a change in Fair dates to the 14th and 15th of December, 1920 to hold a Fair in Lecanto.

This County Fair was an outgrowth of several previous 4-H exhibits organized by the County Agent and the Home Demonstration Agent. Their 4-H Shows had been held in a tin building in Lecanto. February 1, 1926 the Board of County Commissioners went on record as favoring an annual fair, dates to be hereafter determined as well as place.

January 4, 1927 the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution declaring January 21, 1927 as a legal holiday due to the Fair and West Coast Highway Association meetings in Crystal River. A request was made for business houses and public business be suspended for that day.

The next major discussion was June, 1933; a motion was made by the Board of County Commissioners not to move any more material from Lecanto without the Citrus County Fair Association and Board of County Commissioners approval. During this period of time the Board of County Commissioners approved the citizens that serve as Directors of the Fair Association, some Commissioners also served on the Board. Small amounts of tax monies were allocated to assist in running the Fair. This is no longer the case. However, we do have full use of the auditorium during the Fair.