History

In 2021, Bartholomew County celebrated 65 years of fairs at our current location — with more than 100 directors through the years. We are proud of the opportunity to serve the community and look forward to many more years.

The fairgrounds were originally located on 25th Street on the site now known as Fair Oaks Mall. In 1956, a group of community leaders decided it was time to have a fairgrounds that was operated and maintained by an elected group of people who were interested in improving the conditions for the 4-H members and businesses.

On May 7, 1956, a group of citizens met and decided to form a corporate body, later called the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Inc. The first board of directors was elected at this meeting. They were Carl Fox, Martha Doup, Perry Doup, Harry Embry, Henry Hoevener, Walter Miller, B. Parker Newsom Sr., Wendel Shireman and J. Perry Thompson. The corporate
papers were officially signed Nov. 15, 1956, and a 99-year lease was signed Nov. 24, 1956, between the County
Commissioners and the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Inc. The ground was previously used as a county farm at Road 200 S and Indiana 11 and is now the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Inc. fairgrounds. The first fair was held July 21 to 26, 1958. How blessed this community is for this project to continue!