During the 1920s, there were vaudeville acts between the heats of horse races. Through the years the fairâs race arena featured all types of racing, from harness racing to midget autos in 1940, boats, and stock cars in 1951. It was a time of great regret and sadness for many when it was learned the annual fair was to go the way of history to be replaced by what is one of the largest malls in New England. The fair became an annual event for individuals and families, whether or not they were involved personally in any feature of the fair. Many people hold dear the memories of their visits to the fair, remembering the car races, the aroma of the food, the bright blue skies, and the colors of fall. Some times you could barely walk because there were so many people all around you. Who can forget the scents, the sights, the excitement, the Midway pitchmen and the amusement rides, the giant statues, the parade, which for many years was led by General Manager John Leahy wearing his ringmasterâs uniform, and the crowds of the Danbury Fair. If you were lucky and attended Danbury High School from outlying towns, such as Brookfield and Redding, you also had the day off to go to the fair with your friends. Because of rationing of food, gas, and other things and people being fully involved in the war effort, it was impossible to open the fair.įor Danbury school children, the annual fair meant a day off from school, on the traditional Danbury Day. The only time the fair closed down was for three or four years in the 1940s because of the war effort. One thing that usually held true was that the fair always enjoyed great weather. In the late 1800s, fair exhibits could include leaf tobacco, home-brewed wines made of wild cherry, elderberry, and raspberry for judges to sample, hats, boots, saddles, carriages, wagons, churns, and stoves. That first fair in 1869 attracted 900 entries. The Danbury Farmers & Manufacturing Society was formed and made arrangements to use property that had been purchased by an association formed by hat manufacturers Rundle and White. There were glowing accounts of the first fair in 1869. It opened its gates for ten days, with closing day usually on or near Columbus Day. For 112 years the beginning of the month of October meant the annual Danbury Fair to local people and those who came from distances away. It began as the Danbury Agricultural Society in 1821 and held at irregular intervals, and evolved into a permanent event.
![when did danbury race arena close when did danbury race arena close](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/12/fa/7f/12fa7f620dd0352ec276fb91d0f186f0.jpg)
Long before the turn of the 20th Century, the Danbury Fair had become an annual symbol of harvest time in New England.
![when did danbury race arena close when did danbury race arena close](https://townsquare.media/site/677/files/2020/10/dare-devil-drivers.jpg)
![when did danbury race arena close when did danbury race arena close](https://danburycomp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/danbury-competition-engines-by-joe-lapine-favicon-512x512-03.png)
Thanksgiving Aside, The Danbury Fair Was The Areaâs Great Harvest Celebration