Assembly Resolution No. 803

BY: M. of A. Blankenbush

COMMEMORATING the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis
County Fair

WHEREAS, Fairs and festivals empower communities to attract new
visitors while capitalizing on local commercial and cultural value; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
support events of significance which contribute to the entertainment and
vitality of the communities they serve and which exemplify the history
and development of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis County Fair to be
celebrated during its Opening Day Ceremony on Tuesday, July 21, 2020;
and

WHEREAS, The Lewis County Agricultural Society was organized in
1820, and the first County Fair was held at the Lowville Academy on
October 3-4, 1821; and

WHEREAS, On the morning of the third day, the members of the society
convened at the inn of Jared House and the cattle on exhibition were
driven to the pens on grounds now occupied by the Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Lewis County's first judge, The Honorable Silas Stow, held
the distinction of being the Fair's first President; his oratory added
inspirational dignity to the local agricultural aims of the people, and
were prophetic of an excellence that was yet to come; and

WHEREAS, After 1821, the Lewis County Fair was held in many
different locations and was essentially devoted to the improvement of
horses and cattle; between 1841 and 1855 fairs were held annually in
Lowville, Martinsburg, Denmark, Constableville, or wherever grounds were
available; and

WHEREAS, In 1857, available land was acquired and purchased west of
the Village of Turin with another fairground purchased southeast of
Lowville in 1859; and

WHEREAS, From 1855 to 1871, the Lewis County Fair was held
alternately at the Turin and Lowville sites; Lowville became the
permanent site upon the purchase of 15 acres of land in January of 1876
from the Bostwick Estate at the northeast end of the village; this site
became known as Forest Park; and

WHEREAS, The 4-H Club, which began in Lewis County in the early
1920s, took part in the Fair for the first time in 1931; and

WHEREAS, Since those early years, membership has increased
considerably, as have the goals and exhibition of cultural projects
displayed by local youth; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the storied history of the Lewis County Fair
there is a vivid reflection of hard-working, fun-loving and home-loving
people which remains today; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of its President Douglas
Hanno, the Lewis County Fair continues to serve as an extraordinary
attraction, bringing thousands of people each year to see what it has to
offer; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations that have brought entertainment and cultural
enrichment to the citizens of the State of New York; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis County Fair; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Douglas Hanno, President, Lewis County Agricultural
Society.