Fair History
Nine years after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, they held their first state fair in October of 1856. Although the exhibits were meager, the public showed keen interest and eagerly sought space to display some of the finest products from their own homes, shops, and fields. Just one of many award recipients was Brigham Young, then Governor of the Utah Territory. He received $25 for "Best Stallion," and first prize for "Best Celery Exhibit." Until the current Fairpark location was acquired, finding a home for the fair always presented a problem. The first fairs were held in several locations including a site on State Street at 200 South known as " Market Row," 100 South and West Temple, and the "Tenth Ward Square," where Trolley Square now stands. Through lean years, drought, and little financial help from the Territorial Legislature, the fair managed to survive. In 1902, the Legislature purchased the 65 acres of the Fairpark, originally called the "Agriculture Park." One of the earliest improvements to the new site was the construction of an excellent half-mile racecourse. Funding was also made available for the building of the Livestock Barns and the Horticulture Building (later renamed Promontory Hall). Local architects, Walter E. Ware and Alberto Treganza (who also designed the First Presbyterian Church, University Club Building, and Westminster College's Gymnasium) designed the Horticulture Building. The "Gateway to the Fairpark" was constructed on the corner of North Temple and 1000 West. One of the most beautiful buildings on the Fairpark, featuring a combination of early Mission Style and Beaux Arts, it is no exception to the outstanding work of Ware and Treganza. The Horticulture Building was renamed "Promontory Hall" in 1977. It is still used to display horticulture and agriculture, as well as county exhibits during the annual State Fair. This building and the other treasured facilities at the Fairpark play host throughout the year to trade shows, concerts, and other events In the 1980's many of the Fairpark's once beautiful buildings fell into a state of disrepair, and the grounds themselves suffered. In 1988, many of the buildings, including the Horticulture Building, were renovated. In 1997, the Coliseum was demolished due to prominent safety hazards and was eventually followed by the Grandstand stage. The Legislature privatized the Utah State Fair Organization in 1995, giving the gubernatorial appointed board of directors a mandate to make the Fair profitable. The desire was to allow the Fair to no longer be subsidized by taxpayers. The Fair Board works diligently to establish year-round events at the Fairpark to ensure there will always be a Utah State Fair. The Utah State Fair has continued to promote Utah and it's products with events by the Utah Dairy Council, Utah Beef Council, Utah Wool Growers Association, and the Utah Farm Bureau. For the third year running, the "Utah's Own" Food Court features locally grown and prepared foods from around the state. The Utah State Fair strives to blend the best of Utah tradition and heritage with new technology and modern ideals. |
