Fair Recollections

The annual fair was begun in 1950 when Pea Ridge celebrated its centennial with a gigantic homecoming reunion. So successful was the event, it was decided to make the reunion-type fair an annual event.

Pea Ridge traces its history back to 1850 when the post office was officially started, although, a community already existed at that time. The picturesque little city gained its greatest fame through its greatest heartache and sorrow -- the important Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge fought near the town. (From the Pea Ridge Graphic, July 13, 1967.)

1968 -- A fiddlers' contest was held by the Arkansas Fiddlers Association.

1969 -- A change in fair plans saw the merchant's drawing give away $130 cash to winners at the fair.

1971 -- Beta Alpha Sorority sponsored the fair for the first time.

1972 -- Miss Pea Ridge, Debra (Easley) Bullard, was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to enter the Decatur Barbecue competition that August.

1979 -- The longest married couple was Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Crabtree who had been married 65 years.

1980 -- Proceeds from the dunking booth went to building a pavilion at Pea Ridge City Park.

1983 -- Live entertainment featured The Mann Family, the Sugar Creek Band and Bill and Dub Snow with H.K. Scott.

1986 -- No pageant was held but the first ever queen's reunion drew 18 former Pea Ridge Fair queens.

1988 -- There were 31 Pea Ridge residents who signed up to be dunked in the Pea Ridge High School Band Booster's dunk tank.

1991 -- Sponsors of the fair put extra emphasis on Desert Storm veterans, all Desert Storm vets were invited to be that year's grand marshals.

1992 -- This year's Miss Pea Ridge, Jennifer (McDaniel) Plumlee, attended Rogers High School.

1997 -- The first Junior Miss Pea Ridge and Teeny Tot contests were held.

1999 -- The first Cutest Baby contest was held.

2000 -- Former queens were invited back; 21 attended and rode in the parade.

2002 -- Miss Pea Ridge contest was interrupted by rain for the first time in the fair's history.

2006 -- The theme for the fair was Blackhawk Reunion and the grand marshals, the Pea Ridge High School class of 1931, were driven in a 1930 Model A Ford owned by Nadine Crabtree.

2009 -- A car show was held instead of the carnival.

Community on 07/08/2015