IT'S YOUR AFFAIR
(Editor’s Note: Sources for the information included in this article are the LSU AgCenter extension office in Jennings, Carnegie Library archives and Jennings Daily News archives.)
Long before the first car was sold in Jennings, and before the first oil well helped launch the Pelican State’s petroleum industry, there lay the beginning of what is now known as the Jeff Davis Parish Fair.
The First of Many
While the town of Jennings was chartered in 1834, it was another 51 years, in the fall of 1885, until the first fair, the Agriculture Fair, was organized in the Southern Pacific train depot, which just so happened to be the largest building available to house the small aggregate of exhibits.
Coincidentally, this was also the year the first school was started in Jennings, given to the town by A.D. McFarland and taught by S.L. Cary. Being a community of only 150 inhabitants, the fair was meaningful, for it was everyone’s affair. With a grand prize of $3, settlers came from miles across the countryside to visit the small town of Jennings, who in turn generously sold them doughnuts and coffee. To Jennings, it was a great success.
Charter Train
Over time, transportation has advanced tremendously, from horse to train, to the vehicles of today. At the time of the fair, the board of directors for the event made sure everything was properly advertised. In the belief they had done well, the committee made the ultimate decision to call upon two excursion trains, or charter trains scheduled to run for a special event or purpose, for a total of three days. These trains were mapped to run from Beaumont, Texas, 90 miles west, and from Morgan City, 80 miles east, with a discounted price.
As the secretary of the board at the time described it, “The fair opened on time and when excursions 14 and 13 pulled in from each direction, the cars were loaded to the steps and both conductors who I knew personally, told me they could not work the train after it had left Lake Charles and Crowley.”
Tremendous Changes
After the first fair, the next few years served as an inconsistent period, with the fair coming and going every few years. In 1894, the fair planted its roots, presenting itself annually afterward. Years later, the town of Jennings had a monumental turning point. On the day of January 1, 1913, Calcasieu Parish split into four separate parishes due to size and population. Jennings had officially relocated parishes, now being the seat of Jefferson Davis Parish. With its growing popularity, the Jennings Agriculture Fair made a change of its own. It was declared in 1922 the fair would be referred to as the Jeff Davis Parish Fair, and in 1924 the fair association started the building program that would put together a series of structures to be used for the fair.
The 1922 fair promoted itself with slogans such as, “It’s Your Affair: Jeff Davis Parish Fair”, “You will positively get a fair treatment and a square deal”, and “Competition open to the world.”
More Than a Fair
The fairgrounds were not always used simply for play activities, though. On August 13, 1940, the land and buildings were handed over to the Red Cross to act as a refugee camp and house flood victims. In 1942, World War II put a stop to the fair. Grounds were turned over to the Army when maneuvers were held in this part of the state. Then in 1943, labor situations became so critical that it was necessary to move war prisoners into the parish to assist with many thousands of dollars’ worth of rice. In their stay, the Army deemed it essential to tear down some surrounding structures built in the previous years for the fair.
Fun Facts
It was decided in 1940 that all Boy and Girl Scouts in full uniform should be allowed to pass freely through the admission gate. After the accidental death of a cow, the fair board voted to put signs up stating the board was not liable for loss of property when using the grounds. On Sept. 11, 1951, it was decided that the fair would not charge admission, including for automobiles. Along with new things came the end of older ones. At the beginning of the fair, horse racing was extremely popular, as well as dog shows, bicycle races and ladies’ and farmers’ driving contest. The fair also boasted the Square Dancing Committee and the Duck and Geese Calling Committee. The fair had also housed a quarter-mile running race for cows and horses that attracted crowds from around the area.
As an advertisement in 1896 read, “Admissions are low, 25 cents for adults; only 10 cents for children 6 to 12 years of age, under 6 free; family tickets $1 per day or $2 for the entire Fair.” This is the equivalent of $7.50 for adults and $3 for children; $30.02 for a family ticket and $60.03 for the entire fair today. In 1951, it was agreed that the prize money for the best floats be set to $35 for first place, $20 for second and for third place, $10. Today this would be worth$339.43, $193.96 and $96.98, respectively.
Present
Just as the fair was a gathering place for the early Jennings townsfolk, it also serves as a “reunion” of sorts for the residents of our parish today. With the ever-changing world of social media keeping people connected around the world, there is an invisible barrier that separates the cyber from the reality. The Jeff Davis Fair provides an opportunity for children and teens to leave the screen behind and network in a fun, safe environment. To the new generations of the Jeff Davis Parish, it is perhaps the equivalent of a holiday, and awaited with anticipation every year. So, being on the brink of yet another Jeff Davis Parish Fair, remember history is a luxury, and with every step taken is a step through history.
“Let us all come together at the Annual Fair, confer with others, gain new lessons, learn new ideas, and see and hear what others are accomplishing, and glean fresh inspiration along practical lines.” – Third Annual Fair, 1896