Hillsboro County Agricultural Fair

History:
Foreword:The year New Boston failed to hold it's Annual Agricultural Fair - 1947.

1948:Joe English Grange, #53, renewed New Boston's past pleasurable event. With guidance of Chairman Donald E. Byam and the Grange's agricultural committee, the fair once again came into being and began to thrive.

Soon the two high school organizations (Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America) joined the Grange in making the Fair a stirring event.

In 1956, Hillsboro County 4-H members joined the three organizations on a trial basis, The Board of Directors were: Donald E. Byam, President (Grange); George D. Kittredge, Treasurer (FFA); Phyllis I. Byam Secretary (Grange); Harland Brown and Peter J. Hebert (Grange Agricultural Committee); Helen P. Witty (FHA); Charles W. Buck and Carolyn Crowell (4-H). A trial Fair was held on October 6, 1956.

Meeting of 4-H organizations was held following the Fair and 4-H expressed the wish to join the other three groups. Meeting of Joe English Grange - all members voted to include the 4-H in the organization. School organizations (FFA & FHA) also vote to include 4-H.

Board of Directors held meeting (date not available at present - probably in November or December), with all four organizations attending. Slate of officers for the ensuing year was elected as stated below.

1957:On July 29th the four organizations formed a corporation under the name of "New Boston Fair Association" and were recorded in the New Boston, N.H. Records Book #3, page 229. Clerk, Fred M. Hodge - with five required signatures: Donald E. Byam, Phyllis Byam, Oliver M. Dodge of New Boston and Charles Buck and George Kittredge of Mont Vernon.

August 16,1957 the Articles of Agreement of the New Boston Fair Association Incorporated were recorded in Records of Voluntary Corporations, Volume 272, page 255.

October 5th the first Fair under it's newly organized corporation and new name was held.The slate of officers was:Donald E. Byam, President; Walter Bodwell, Vice President; Florence Barss, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Helen P. Witty, Corresponding Secretary; Willard Dodge, Treasurer; George D. Kittredge; Assistant Treasurer.

(Note: 1957 was also the 10th anniversary of the new beginning of the unbroken series of annual Agricultural Fairs New Boston is noted for.)

1962: The growth of the Fair was remarkable, but it became know that its name was deceiving to "out-of-towners" who were under the impression it was for New Bostonians exclusively. To correct the erroneous impression the board voted unanimously to change the name to "Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair." July 23, 1962, Vol. 369, page 325.

September 22, 1962 was the first year that the Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair name was used in New Hampshire. Greenfield, N.H. Fair ending 1925 operated under the name "Hillsborough County Fair." Officers that year were: Donald E. Byam, President; Charles Buck, Vice President; Mrs. M. Jane Stevens, Corresponding Secretary; Josephine Stearns, Recording Secretary; Franklin Hayward, Treasurer; George D. Kittredge, Auditor.

Conclusion: As the years progress, the Fair keeps pace with public demands, with an eye to present growth and future needs. It continues to contribute to the promotion of agriculture, crafts and others in a pleasurable fashion, which offers knowledge and encouragement to those of all ages.

Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair is the result of diligence, cooperation, careful planning, generosity, pride and TLC. Lack of these would deprive the public of a worthwhile project and there would be a void in the lives of many - no more would we have the "Old-fashioned" based, clean, country fair with a modern flair!