History of The North Haverhill Fair Association

And credit to the people who have made it happen !

ARTS & CRAFTS

In the first years of the Fair, the arts & crafts exhibitors were primarily Grange members. A 1949 program states that "each Grange exhibit should include: 1 quilt, 4 pieces fancy work, 4 pieces plain sewing, 4 extra articles -- either knitting, crocheting, reseating, painting or weaving." By 1957, "hobby exhibits" were accepted from anyone who wished to enter. For many of these early years, Natalie Smith and Dorothy "Dot" Sawyer were instrumental in setting up these exhibits, securing judges, and arranging displays. In 1964, the Fair held an exhibit of rugs and fancywork under the guidance of Irene Miller. As this show was very successful, the Fair Directors voted to add the new department of Arts & Crafts. In later years, the rooms in the school were used to exhibit craft entries. When the Fair moved to its present location, one of the first buildings to be constructed was the one which holds the 4-H and arts & crafts exhibits. Each year, nearly one-half of this building is filled with creations of local craftswomen and men: quilts, afghans, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, stained glass, woodworking, embroidery, rugs, and many others. During recent years, various craft and hobby demonstrations have been held in the exhibit hall, including whittling, spinning (with a real spinning wheel) and woodworking.

Arts & Crafts Chairs

· 1944-64 ??

· 1965-67 Irene Miller

· 1968-69 Natalie Smith, Pauline Smith

· 1970-76 Natalie Smith

· 1977-86 Carrie Conery

· 1987- Jane Oakes, Linda Keith

HORSE, PONY and OX PULLING

Horse pulling has been held since the first year of the fair, with local farmers bringing their strongest team to compete against their neighbors. Pony pulling became part of the Fair in 1964, and ox pulling was added in 1966. This event has not changed much from its first days; it is a quiet event where the attraction comes from the strength and skill exhibited by the pullers and their animals in hitching to the boat and, for the lucky ones, pulling the full distance. Many visitors to the Fair have spent entire afternoons (some well into the wee hours of the morning) enthralled by the power exhibited by these animals. (Pictured below: Horse Pulling, 1948)

Horse, Pony & Ox Pulling Chairs

· 1947-49(?) William Taisey

· 1950-55 ??

· 1956-57 Wendell White

· 1963-64 Wendell White, Doug Brooks

· 1965-66 Wendell White, Clark Ingalls

· 1967-68 Clark Ingalls

· 1969-74 Clark Ingalls, William Ingalls

· 1975-77 Ken White (Horse, Pony) (Richard Kinder - Oxen)

· 1978-91 Richard Kinder (w/ Mike Huse for Oxen, 1980-91)

· 1991- Richard and Jan Kinder, Bob Bishop

AMUSEMENTS

The Fair would not be complete without the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round to mark the midway. Since its earliest days, the Fair has had games and rides to attract young and old alike. Whether it be trying your luck shooting a basketball into a hoop, picking a little rubber duck for a prize, riding with a youngster on the Ferris wheel, or turning upside down on the "Round-Up", there is definitely something for everyone here. Over the past 50 years, there have been many amusement companies which have furnished our midway, including LaGasse Amusements, Fanelli Amusements and, currently, Marc's Amusements. While these companies bring the rides, it is up to local volunteers to sell tickets for these rides. And while you might think sitting in a little booth selling tickets would be monotonous, it is anything but! Doris Bellamy remembers "... the only hazard was one over-excited, eager child who used to jump up and grab the window ledge of the booth, jeopardizing both himself and the ticket seller because the booth was not anchored to the ground!" These little ticket booths are also without question one of the best vantage points for "people watching" at the Fair!

Chairs for Ride Ticket Sales

40's, 50's, early 60's ??

· 1964-65 Madlyn White, Millie Hammond

· 1966-67 Millie Hammond, Bertha Farnham

· 1968-72 Bertha Farnham

· 1973-75 Bertha Farnham, Vi Hatch

· 1976-77 Diane Keith

· 1978- Diane Keith, Mary Ingalls

KIDDIE PARADE / DOLL CARRIAGE PARADE

The “Doll Carriage and Decorated Tricycle Parade” was held as far back as 1949, with "ribbons for first, second and third and prizes for all." In later years, many parades were held in front of the James R. Morrill School on scorching Saturday afternoons so hot that everyone hunted for a spot of shade next to the school wall. In addition to prizes and ribbons, ice cream (sometimes nearly melted) was served to all participants. As this event grew in popularity, the parade was moved to the Fair stage. Many pretty little girls with their dolls, boys dressed as cowboys, and a myriad of clowns and Indians were on parade for proud parents and relatives to view. Today the parade of children continues with more categories for prizes, a ribbon to every participant and lots of imagination in every costume.

Kiddie Parade Chairs

• 1949-62 ??

• 1963 Marjorie Copeland Page

• 1964 Suzanne Bruckner

• 1965 Katherine Blaisdell

• 1966-67 Betty Patridge

• 1968-69 Ann Fabrizio

• 1970-76 Patsy Demers

• 1977-88 Wyllian Thompson

• 1989-91 Janet Clark

• 1992- Debbie Bigelow

FAIR QUEEN CONTEST

This contest started when our Fair was still a Grange Fair. Granges were asked to sponsor a candidate for the contest. In the earlier years, the contest was known as the "Popularity Contest." The winner was awarded a $50 savings bond. In the earlier years of the Fair, people used their admission stub to vote for contestant of their choice. In more recent years, the contestants sold raffle tickets, and each raffle ticket sold counted for a vote. The Queen was awarded $100 and a percentage of her ticket sales. All other candidates also received a percentage of their ticket sales. Each contestant was also required to have a float or decorated car in the parade. A queen from each fair around the state was eligible to participate in the State Fair Queen Contest for which they were required to write an essay on New Hampshire agriculture. The Queen was crowned the following year at the New Hampshire State Fair Banquet. The North Haverhill Fair has been well represented at the state competition; we have had several young women crowned as Miss New Hampshire Fair Queen. In 1969, the 25th Anniversary of the North Haverhill Fair, all former fair queens rode together on a float in the parade. The contest was very successful until the late 80’s when it was difficult to find girls who wanted to participate. The last queen contest was held, and the last North Haverhill Fair Queen was crowned, in 1989.

Queen Contestant Chairs

• 1952-54 ?? • 1969 Marge Wardrop

• 1955-56 Priscilla Stoddard • 1970-71 Arvila Goss

• 1957 Kay Blaisdell • 1972 JoAnn Aldrich

• 1958-61 Priscilla Stoddard • 1973-74 Dale Wallace

• 1962-64 Evelyn Stoddard • 1975 Ginny Lennon

• 1965-68 Edith Hammond • 1976-89 Bette Pollock

NORTH HAVERHILL FAIR QUEENS

• 1952 Edith Hammond Craig • 1964 Marie Aremburg Bigelow

• 1953 ?? • 1965 Yvonne Zambon

• 1954 Beth Weed • 1966 Barbara Thayer Norcross

• 1955 Judith Venturni Clark • 1967 JoAnn Girouard Aldrich

• 1956 Priscilla Church • 1968 Donna Fullerton

• 1957 Sandy Ramsay • 1969 Linda Smith Guy

• 1958 Rachel Fagnant • 1970 Carol Day

• 1959 Diana Sawyer • 1971 Anne LaVoice

• 1960 Harriett Clark Poor • 1972 Maureen LaVoice

• 1961 Carol Clough • 1973 Connie Bedell

• 1962 Jane Stoddard Oakes • 1974 Joyce Fillion

• 1963 Stephanie Andrews • 1975 Mary Ann Joy

• 1976 Marilyn Blaisdell • 1983 Kim Winot Grant

• 1977 Carol Smith • 1984 Annette Hartley

• 1978 Cindy Hartley • 1985 Christine Hudson

• 1979 Patricia Carle • 1986 Michele Farr

• 1980 Katherine Hartley Rose • 1987 Angela Thayer Ricker

• 1981 Virginia Englert Ingerson • 1988 Linda Harris

• 1982 Janet Lackie Moulton • 1989 Tammy Fadden

EDITH G. HENSON MEMORIAL FLOWER SHOW

The flower show has been a part of the North Haverhill Fair for almost 50 years. In its early years, it was held at the Brick Hall, with ribbons offered in six classes, including "Best House Begonia." Since then, it has grown from a few small tables to large display area and includes 17 classes and a children's division. In 1991, the Flower Show was named in honor of Edith Henson, who worked diligently for many years to expand its size and content. In addition, each year there is a memorial class featuring the gladiola, Edith's favorite

variety of flower. This year, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the North Haverhill Fair, a golden jubilee class has been added. Exhibitors will be asked to enter a small centerpiece using golden yellow flowers to highlight and accent their multicolored arrangements.

The Flower Show is a wonderful opportunity for local residents to display their talents at flower arranging, using either wildflowers from the roadside or garden flowers grown for this occasion. The Flower Show also offers an opportunity for the "green thumb" to display prize house plants. These plants, bouquets and artistic arrangements are a beautiful attraction to fairgoers.

Flower Show Chairs

• 1952 Natalie Smith

• 1953-65 ??

• 1966 Everett Sawyer

• 1967-70 Eva Reed

• 1971-80 Edith Henson (with Mary Allbee, 1977)

• 1981- Sharon Fadden

TRACTOR PULLING

Tractor pulling made its debut in 1956 at the VFW field. While the pull used drawbar horsepower as the basis for classes in the first few years, that changed in 1961 when the pull changed to weight classes (under 4600, 46-5500, 55-6400, and 6400 and up). As noted by Dick McDanolds, "this slowed the complete domination of IH and JD in the winners' circle." Having changed to weight classes, it was necessary to weigh each tractor to determine its appropriate class. For two years (1961-62), competitors used Rintha Church Nutter's scales, then for four years used the scales at the County Farm. As neither of these was heavy enough nor convenient to the pull, in 1967 Wendell White set up scales obtained from the Goldfield junkyard on property owned by Paul Mayette, which abutted the fairgrounds. 1967 was also a year of frustration in the pulling pit as the old wooden stone boat split in two, half going with the pulling tractor and half staying with the grader (which was still hitched since the pull had run out of cement blocks and needed more weight on the boat!). The next year saw the arrival of a new all-steel boat which is still usable.

Other changes were made over the years: A concrete pad was poured in 1964 to even out the "luck of the hole" factor (this also saved wear and tear on the volunteers in the pulling pit). New weight classes were added to reflect the increases in farm tractor power, with a 17,000 classes added in 1981. The scales were moved to the new grounds when the Fair relocated in 1982 and a new concrete pad was poured. This pad was used until 1984 when the pull became a dirt pull again -- entertaining, competitive and frustrating since moguls were often difficult to negotiate. Also in this year, antique tractors (1950 and older) joined the pull as a special class. In 1986, a 300-foot clay track for using a weight transfer sled was built for all the motorized pulls -- regular tractor, antique tractors, 4x4 pickups,

modifieds, and doodlebugs. New 15 ton scales were also set up adjacent to this new track. In 1991, a cover and enclosure for these scales was constructed.

Several generations of local families have participated in the pulls for many years (great-grandchildren of some of the original pullers are expected to enter within the next few years!): McDanolds (38 years), Aldrich (26), Stoddard (26), Thayer (24), Vaughan (24), W. Bailey (19), and H. Hatch (19). [A special note: Roe McDanolds’ ‘47 John Deere has been on hand for 36 of the past 38 pulls.]

There have been a few comedians over the years:

-- Rich Sawyer standing on the drawbar (a no-no today), cracking the whip, urging his H on to more and better...

-- Claude Lehouillier sweeping dirt off the tires to improve their grip...

-- Lynwood Patnode trying to keep his B’s front wheel off the ground for the whole run...

A few entertainers:

-- Bruce Townsend and his 1895, 24 hp Frick steam tractor trotting the boat back and forth and tooting the whistle which could be heard 3 miles away. (Bruce doesn’t know it, but he’s up for the 1994 special award trophy for being the most mentioned entertainer over the last 7 years!)...

-- Dick Vaughan and his ‘27 JD D and the home built Waterboy...

-- Wally Berry pulling four classes with all the wheel weights he could scrounge in the whole North Country...

And some moments of sadness:

-- Jared Peters’ tractor jumping out of gear with the trophy in sight...

-- Rick Searles totaling two tractors when they left the truck on the Newbury turn, en route home...

Finally, thanks to all the spectators, pullers, pulling crew and other volunteers, the tractor pulling event has grown from about 15 spectators and 17 tractors to several hundred spectators and up to 87 entries, with tractors weighing from 6800 to 17000, pulling loads from 8250 to over 24000, on a sleds ranging from a wooden boat to an all-steel transfer sled.

Tractor Pulling Chair

• 1956- Dick McDanolds

Roe McDanolds at his last pull (1986)

HORSE SHOW

The sight of well-groomed horses walking, cantering and jumping in the horse show ring is a familiar one. Since 1956 when the Fair moved to the VFW field, the horse show has been part of the entertainment. In 1967, the show committee decided to become a point show and affiliate with The New Hampshire Horse & Trail Association and The New England Horseman's Council. Also in that year the show expanded to be a 3-day show, with the 4-H show held on Friday, and the open shows held on Saturday and Sunday. Hunting and jumping classes were added for the first time in the late 60's -- all the jumps were made by Carl Dellinger and Vic Wallace. One of the more popular classes was called The North Haverhill Fair Special -- pairs of ponies and horses jumping side by side. After the Fair moved to the Fred C. Lee Memorial Field, a draft horse and pony show was added -- the first in the state! More recently, a mule show has been added. These "non-traditional" shows have become increasingly popular with both spectators and participants. Discussion of the horse shows would not be complete without mentioning the one man who has been responsible for tending the gate at the horse show ring for nearly thirty years -- Mr. Dave Clark.

Horse Show Chairs

• 1956-62 ??

• 1963-71 Virginia Elms, Vernona Wallace

• 1972-84 Evelyn Elms, Virginia Elms

• 1985-92 Carl Dellinger

• 1993 Kendra Hatch, Melanie Ulery

ART / PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

In 1963, the “2nd Annual Countryside Painter’s Art Show” was held at the North Haverhill Fair. While the origins of this Art Show are

lost to memory, this event continues to attract a large crowd of participants and admirers each year. In 1966, the Fair Directors voted to give prize money and ribbons to junior artists, thereby increasing both the participation and interest in the Art Show. Annually, area artists, including summer residents and visitors, bring their creations for judging before the Fair begins. Displays are created, with thought given to lighting, theme and variety so that the public is drawn into the exhibit. Ribbons and prizes are awarded, with fairgoers voting each year for the People’s Choice Award.

Art / Photography Chairs

• 1963 Lorraine Koch, assisted by Greta Morris and Dorothy Fortier

• 1964-69 Dorothy Fortier

• 1970-71 Olive Slight

• 1972-73 Dale Feid

• 1974-76 James Peters

• 1977-78 Nancy Bruckner

• 1979 Edith Hastings

• 1980 Marilyn Spooner

• 1981-89 Sheila Pollock

• 1990 Jane Oakes

• 1991- Bruce Bishop

KIDDIE TRACTOR PULL

In 1991, the first kiddie tractor pull was held in the Kennedy Arena. While it was designed to be similar to the adult tractor pull, it was decided that there would be no horsepower involved -- just pedal power. The children use pedal tractors to pull a special "sled", designed and constructed by Stuart McDanolds, which uses milk cartons filled with water as weights. The first year, this event was open to children aged 8 and under. It was such a success -- over 100 children participated -- that the next year it was expanded to include ages 10 and under. Each child that participates is awarded a cash prize and a ribbon, and comes away with a special feeling of accomplishment. The expressions and determination on the faces of these "pullers" is priceless. Some come running to the tractor, sure that they can make it go the distance. Others, timid at first, gain confidence from the cheers of the crowd and go on to make their mark. Some children have returned in following years hoping to improve their record. With the help of Harry Norcross and Kenny and Vickey Blaisdell, the event chair people have put together an

attraction which brings children back to the Fair year after year.

Kiddie Tractor Pull Chairs

• 1991- Wayne and Debbie Bigelow

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

In addition to the events described on the previous pages, there are a host of other attractions and departments which make the Fair a vibrant place every year. While we have not taken the time to describe them in more depth, the activities listed below are an integral part of the Fair, adding to the atmosphere and making the Fair a place to bring the whole family.

Special Events - Dr. Ed Blaisdell. Since the early 1960's, Dr. Blaisdell has handled "special events" at the fair. Among other things, this has meant finding (and greasing) the calf, pig and pole for the respective "greased" contests every year. Dr. Blaisdell was also in charge of setting up and running the water polo contest for many years (now handled by Norman Ingalls). In 1993, Dr. Blaisdell set the "wheels" in motion for the first adult tricycle race, where the "adults" were area race car drivers!

Horseshoe Pitching Chairs

• 1967-68 Maynard Demers

• 1969-79 Dr. Ed Blaisdell

• 1980-93 Newton Darling

Maple Show Chairs

• 1976-79 George Clement

• 1980- Charles Stewart

Goat Show Chairs

• 1985-91 Barbara Norcross

• 1992- Richard Fraser

Garden Tractor Pulling Chair

• 1992- Jim Aldrich

PAST NORTH HAVERHILL FAIR ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

Presidents

1944-52 Frederick Stoddard, Clark Ingalls, Carroll Stoddard

(records indicating exact years of each have been lost)

1953 Dr. Frederick Erb (resigned)

1953 Roland Clough

1954-56 Dr. Edwin Blaisdell

1957-60 Douglas Brooks

1961-62 Frederick Stoddard

1963-80 Paul Mayette

1981-90 Laurent Fournier

1991-present David Keith

Vice-Presidents

1944-48, 50-52 ??

1949 Roland Clough

1953-56 Richard Rutherford (54-55 w/ Clark Ingalls and

Roland Clough)

1957-60 Dr. Ed Blaisdell

1961 Doug Brooks

1962 Paul Mayette

1963 Frederick Stoddard

1964-67 Arthur Clough

1968-80 Laurent Fournier

1981 Richard McDanolds

1982-85 Arthur Clough

1986-91 Stanley Stoddard

1992-present Gerald Stoddard

Secretaries 1944-48,49-52 ??

1949 Everett Sawyer

1953-55 Priscilla Stoddard

1956-62 Max Robinson

1963-75 Laurence "Hap" Smith

1976-present Linda Stoddard

Treasurers 1944-48, 49-52 ??

1949 Ernestine Ingalls

1953-58 Priscilla Stoddard

1959 Esther Cota

1960-76 Roland Clough (Ass't Treasurer, 1977)

1977-78 Dale Smith

1979-87 Patricia Wolfe

1988-91 Wyllian Thompson

1992-present Dianne Ingalls

PAST NORTH HAVERHILL FAIR ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS

John Aldrich 1991 - present

Bob Bishop 1989 - present

Dr. Ed Blaisdell 1961 - 63 (54-56, Pres.; 57-60, VP)

Katherine Blaisdell 1958 - 60

Doug Brooks 1956, 62-64 (57-60, Pres.; 61, VP)

Arthur Clough 1962 - 63, 68-81, 86-present (64-67, 82-85, VP)

Tim Clough 1991 - present

Florence Clough 1956 - 61,64-65

Leon Dargie 1963 - 67

MaryAnn Dellinger 1987 - present

Virginia Elms 1961 - 83

Raymond Eno 1967 - 68

Leo Fortier 1958 - 63

Roger Fournier 1987 - 89

Ivan Grimes 1957, 61-63

Dean Hammond 1956, 66 - 68

Don Hammond 1957 - 63

Linwood Hammond 1956

Charlie Hanson 1969 - 80

Clark Ingalls 1953 - 63 (Pres. during Grange)

Bill Ingalls 1969 - 86

Norman Ingalls 1981 - present

David Keith 1980 - 90 (91 - present, President)

Ronald Keith 1982 - 90

Kevin Kennedy 1976 - 80

Richard Kinder 1981 - present

Leslie Lackie 1982 - 88

Paul Lamott 1961 - 63

Paul Mayette 1961 (62, VP; 63-80 Pres.)

Richard McDanolds 1958 - 63, 65, 71 - 80, 82 - present (81, VP)

William Miller 1966 - 68

James Morrill 1984 - 86

Harry Moses 1960

Eleanor Reed 1961 - 62

Richard Rutherford 1957 - 75

Laurence "Hap" Smith 1960 - 62 (63-75, Sec.)

Louise Stoddard 1956 - 57

Robert Stoddard 1990 - present

Stanley Stoddard 1981 - 85, 92 - present (86-91, VP)

Gerald Stoddard 1956 - 57, 60 - 91 (92 - present, VP)

Frederick Stoddard 1960, 64 - 80 (63, VP; 61-62, Pres.)

Forrest Thayer 1956 - 57

Howard Thayer 1982 - present

Orman "Red" Thayer 1958 - present

Wendell White 1956 - 66

1994

Directors Howard Thayer, Bob Stoddard,

Bob Bishop, Arthur Clough; : MaryAnn Dellinger,

Dick McDanolds, John Aldrich\, Tim Clough, Norman

Ingalls, Richard Kinder, Stanley Stoddard, Red Thayer

Officers: Gerald Stoddard,

David Keith : Dianne Ingalls, Linda Stoddard

History Committee Linda Keith,

Dianne Ingalls, Debbie Bigelow

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