An Effingham County Fair was held as far back as 1901. The first fairs were held in the Old National Guard Armory which sat in the 1000 N block of Maple Street in Springfield. This tall wooden building sat across the street from Leslie Thompson’s Funeral Home, Effingham County’s first funeral home. The fair was held sporadically during the early years and was not held during some of the war years. 

According to the Effingham County Fair Committee, the 75th Fair will begin on Monday October 22, 2018 and it will be held on the Fair Grounds on Zoller Drive, just off South Laurel Street in Springfield, Georgia.

The early fairs were held in MoEd Stadium just north of Springfield. This was a private ball field located near the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edenfield. I have record of a fair there in 1950 and several individuals recall it being there in the late 1940s.

The fair relocated to the current National Guard Armory at the corner of North Ash and Early Streets in Springfield through 1963.

A Fair Parade began in the early 1960s. Bands were popular in the parade. It has grown each year. The parade begins in Springfield and ends at the gates to the fairgrounds. In 1964 the Effingham County Fair moved to its current location on Zoller Street. The property has grown with additional tracts of adjacent land added and buildings and facilities have been added and improved over recent years.

The 2018 Fair begins with the afternoon parade on Oct. 22nd 2018 and runs through Saturday October 27th. Come out and enjoy the exhibits, livestock shows, midway rides, live entertainment and wonderful fair food. You are sure to have a great time. 

This was written by Susan Exley from Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos or historical information to share contact her at 912-754-6681 or email hesheraldexley@aol.com