LEE COUNTY FAIR
Oldest County Fair in Iowa
The following is taken in part from unknown newspaper articles, dated April
28, 1982 and July 13, 1983.
The Lee County Fair is the oldest country fair in Iowa. Just how old is the Lee
County Fair? It all began in West Point on July 17, 1841, with the organization
of an agricultural society. A committee of five was appointed to meet and draft
a constitution and report back to the agricultural society. No record of that
meeting has been found but a fair of sorts did take place when 150 people
attended a meeting and brought with them some of the finest cattle in the area.
This exhibition is considered the county’s first fair and for the next 14 years
it was known as the “District Fair”.
The following year, 1842, the exhibitions moved to Keokuk and consisted of a
three-day program. From 1843-1877 it was held in various towns in Lee County,
although it lapsed on occasion due to competition from the Iowa State Fair in
Keokuk.
The fair was revived in 1878 when Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fett donated 20 acres of
land in Donnellson for the fair activities. The decision to reopen the fair and
choose Donnellson was based on the fact that Donnellson was nearest to the
geographical center of Lee County. The fair has been held in Donnellson ever
since.
The Lee County Fair has continued to grow and add many attractions over the
years. Present day fair-goers find many different exhibitions; not only
livestock and farm, but garden produce, art, sewing, and just any type of hobby
or trade you can think of. So one might say the Lee County Fair has something
for everyone.