The Saunders County Agricultural Society purchased approximately 27 acres of land located directly south of 1st Street and East of Pine in the southeast section of Wahoo, Nebraska from Charles L. and Mattie J. Stocking on August 15, 1883 for $1,350. The first Saunders County Fair was held in 1884.
The highlight of the 1908 Saunders County Fair was the speech of U.S. President W.H. Taft, who spoke to the crowd on Wednesday, September 30. The unique octagonal livestock pavilion was dedicated during the fair on September 23, 1920.
During the year 1929, many important things happened to the society. On July 15,1929, non-profit articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the following purpose: "To educate the general public and to encourage the improvement in all things pertaining to the interest of the agriculturist, the mechanic, the merchant, and the citizen of any calling by aiding such interest that are most conducive to the public good". Horse racing sanctioned by the Nebraska State Racing Commission with a $1,500 purse was one of the features of the annual fair. Walter Saveridge Amusement Company had 27 railroad cars of equipment shipped to Wahoo for rides. Board members at this time were: President, R.C. Johnson; Vice-President, Albert Benson; Treasurer, Albert Gustafson; Secretary, E.S. Schiefelbein; Directors, Frank Hledik, E.T. Borreson, Eric J. Erickson, R.C. Anderson, and G.E. Lanham.
There have been many damaging floods at the fairgrounds, located in the Wahoo and Sand Creek Flood Plain; most serious of these were in 1959 and 1963.
On January 15, 1955, permission was granted by the Fair Board Directors allowing the Wahoo Saddle Club use of the fairgrounds to hold a rodeo. This has been held in connection with the County Fair every year since that time. Don Virgl started a tractor-pull contest in 1963 and has continued this popular event each year.
Partly with the use of Ak-Sar-Ben matching funds and help from Saunders County supervisors many major improvements have been constructed during the last 25 years. Among these were: new steel grandstand costing $17,000.00, $5,000.00 of which was paid by Wahoo Saddle Club, and erected in 1963; New $4,000.00 lunch stand; $4,677.00 metal hog building; $24,000.00 metal commercial building with public rest rooms; $6,500.00 new beef barn; $5,666.00 addition to hog barn; and in 1978 Fair Board and Neumann High purchased 2 portable bleachers to be used by both parties. During 1982, a $70,000.00 concrete block combination office, restrooms and dressing rooms complex was constructed. Future plans call for an all-purpose pavilion approximately 100 x 220 feet to be used by the society as well as the community for many uses.
Presidents of the Fair Board since incorporation in 1929 have been: R.C. Johnson, 1929-1940; E.S. Schiefelbein 1940-1947; Fred Norenberg, 1947-1954; A.J. Vance 1954-1957; Vernon Schmidt, 1957-1974; Don Virgl, 1974-1981; Jack Nitz, 1981-1982; Joe Sanderson, 1982-.
The first three women were elected to the Fair Board in November, 1982. They were Jackie Hladik, Audrey Williams and Carlene Svoboda.
Written by Wayne Edgar. https://negenweb.net/NESaunders/1983hist/saco83-p2...