Preparing for the O.C. Fair

Two weeks ago, we began looking back at Huntington Beach’s second annual Fall Fair, which was held at Olive and Main and at various locations throughout our town from Oct. 2 to 5, 1918.

We learned of the grand parade of cars that toured many of our towns and cities in Orange and Los Angeles counties as a way to advertise this special event.

We also learned that just before the fair was to open, its name was changed from the Fall Fair to the Orange County Fair.

I believe that this event is very important not only in Huntington Beach history, but also to the history of Orange County and of the Orange County Fair that we celebrate today.

Even if there were older Orange County fairs before this one, this one truly represented the county as a whole and therefore makes Huntington Beach the birthplace of this popular event.

Three weeks before the fair opened, the general committee chairman, F.H. McElfresh, called a meeting of the various committees to receive progress reports and suggestions.

A letter was read from the manager of the Liberty Fair that would be held in Los Angeles a week after our fair closed. The letter invited a delegation from Huntington Beach to visit their fair.

They probably needed our expert input in putting on an event as successful as our Orange County Fair.

The committee members voted to accept their invitation and would send a local delegation to the Liberty Fair.

Floral Committee Chair Bertha Proctor reported that her committee was considering a Japanese tearoom at the fair, with the proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Time was moving fast toward opening day, and not all of the plans were still completed. Would there be enough time?

Two weeks before the start of the fair, the committee chairs again met in the offices of our Chamber of Commerce to help finalize the events.

Willis Osborn from the Pacific Electric Railway reported that he felt sure that his company’s band would be able to perform during the event.

A.J. Young, the “Potato King,” reported that most of the local ranchers would have some type of exhibit of their crops during the fair and that the ranchers were excited and honored to be part of this event.

Mary Newland of the canned fruits and jelly committee reported that because of the light crops and high prices, there would be less fruit to be displayed.

McElfresh reported that a new committee had been added, a library committee, to be chaired by librarian Bertha Proctor, which would plan a display of books.

It was also reported that on the last day of the fair, a bathing beauty parade would be held, with some of the cutest O.C. girls you ever saw.

With time getting closer to the big day, another committee meeting was called for last-minute items and reports.

H.T. Dunning reported that there would be about 300 exhibits of poultry, about 30 goats and some pigs. A trough would be needed to feed the hogs.

It was arranged that a 30-piece military band from Fort McArthur would play on the first and third days of the fair; a Naval Reserve band of 56 members would entertain the public on the second day.

A bandstand would be erected at Main Street and Walnut Avenue, and seats for the public would be placed on Walnut so the visitors could rest and listen to the music.

A state picnic would be held on the last day of the fair.

Picnic chairman Proctor read a letter from C.H. Parsons, secretary of the affiliated state societies of Southern California, stating that he and their president would be visiting our fair.

Proctor reported that there was no money available for banners or badges, but that she would paint some cards with state flowers to be placed on the various state tables.

R.E. Lee was appointed chairman of the Arkansas picnic and City Marshal John Tinsley of the Texas picnic.

Mrs. T.W. Cadd chaired the Native California picnic, and Elizabeth Kerr, Fred Day and George Bentley would team up to head the Canadian picnic.

Other states to be included were Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wyoming, Montana and New England.

Our town pulled out all the stops to make this a truly historic event and one that they hoped would bring praise to Huntington Beach and its people.

Don’t think our local schools were left out of such an important event. Oh no, a huge parade of youngsters from Huntington Beach, Ocean View, Seal Beach, Westminster, Bolsa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach and Harper paraded through town on the second day of the fair.

Barker Brothers furniture store from Los Angeles had a display of electrical appliances for the lady of the house. Among the displays were sewing machines, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and fireless cookers, all powered by electricity.

Barker Brothers also served biscuits, hot ham and coffee to their visitors, with the profits going to the Red Cross war effort. They served dinner free of charge to the members of the military bands.

R.C. Turner of the music committee arranged to have on hand Amon Dorsey Caine and Ethel Smith as part of the fair’s entertainment.

Even the Princess Theatre got into the spirit and showed “Pershing’s Crusaders,” a government war movie, on the last two days of the fair.

Remember that World War I was still being fought and that the patriotic spirit was strong here in Huntington Beach. For many, this fair was a way to forget the war for just a little while.

Next week we’ll conclude our look at Huntington Beach’s Orange County Fair, its people and events that made it so memorable.

* JERRY PERSON is a local historian and resident.

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