The Hoosick Driving Park and Fair Association
By
Gilbert Wright, Historian 1996 ‑ 2000
Town of Hoosick
The Hoosick Driving Park and Fair Association
existed in the late eighteen and early nineteen-hundreds. There seems to be
little information about its activities or about the association itself.
There is a premium book in the Miller Museum that advertises the Second Annual Fair of The Hoosick Driving Park and Fair Association to be held on August 29,30,31 and September 1, 1899. The fair was held on grounds located north of the village on the east side of Route 22. This land, then known as Webster Grove and later as Tomlinson Grove, had a quarter-mile racetrack, a grandstand and a picnic area. The picnic area was surrounded by a grove of beech trees beside a running brook. It must have been an ideal place for community activities and family outings. I have been told that circuses were held on these grounds in later years.
The
premium book contained the following information: Entries for this fair, were
'open to the world'. All of the exhibitors were charged $1.00, which entitled
them to a pass to enter the fair twice each day. When prize money was awarded,
10% of the premium was deducted unless the premium was $10.00 or less.
The entries were divided into seven divisions ‑
Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Poultry, Dogs, Farm and Garden Products and Implements.
Each division was divided into classes. There were six classes of Horses, first
prize $8.00; thirteen classes of Cattle, first prize $8.00; twelve classes of
Sheep fist prize $5.00; one hundred and forty‑three classes of Poultry,
first prize $1.00; forty‑one classes of Dogs, first prize $2.00. Farm and
Garden Products were divided into two classes: Field Crops, which included
twenty-three varieties, and Vegetables, seventeen varieties, first prize for
each was $1.50. Implements and machines. were displayed but no prizes were
awarded.
Horse Racing was a big attraction at all fairs. The
Hoosick Driving Park and Fair Association provided a contest for Trotting and
Pacing. The purses for the winners were from two hundred and fifty dollars to
five hundred dollars. The entry fees for these races were five per cent of the
purse.
The
premium book included advertisements for local businesses and the regulations
for shipping livestock to and from the fair by rail. This is very interesting
to read as it shows the differences and the similarities between the earlier
fairs and the fairs of today.
Fairs are a part of
people's lives today as they have been for several centuries. The history of
fairs is interesting and shows many changes, both in purpose and in operation.
Fairs were held in the twelfth and thirteenth century in Europe and were first
held for religious celebrations. Later they became social, political and
economic functions. In 1641 the New Netherland government authorized the first
fair in America to be held in New Amsterdam.
Fairs grew rapidly across
the colonies in the seventeen-hundreds and continue today with great success.
They have played an important part in the growth of our country since the very
start. Each fair has an impact on the local economy. Today, approximately 3
million dollars change hands prior to and during each county fair. Most of this
is within a radius of thirty miles. Fairs have encouraged those who raise
stock, and/or produce to strive for improvement. This is done through the
spirit of competition that climaxes at the fair site each year. Commercial
exhibits and demonstrations of new products and materials has helped to improve
our standard of living as they are applied to farm and home.
During the years of the Hoosick Park and Fair
Association, three other local fairs were also popular. The Rensselaer County
Agricultural and Horticultural Society Fair, then held in Lansingburgh, The
Agriculture and Liberal Arts Society of Rensselaer County Fair held in Nassau,
and the Cambridge Fair. Today, this would be an "overkill." However,
at the turn of the century transportation was horse and buggy, trolley and
train. Fairs made it possible to promote social events crucial to the exchange
of ideas and goods. 1t gave those interested the opportunity to engage in
competition and the opportunity to enjoy entertainment otherwise seen only in
large cities.
While it seems that our
Hoosick Fair was relatively short lived, other fairs had their hard times also.
The Rensselaer County Agricultural and Horticultural Society had several high
and low times, almost losing their charter in 1919, their centennial year. The
Fair at Nassau continued until 1944. The Cambridge Fair closed in the early
forties after over 70 years of openings. Some fairs have closed because of
changes in transportation, changes in economy, and sometimes poor management.
The reason that the fair at the Hoosick Driving Park closed is not known. However
its very existence was important to the town and must be remembered.