During the mid-20th century, the Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, began a journey that transformed a traditional, agriculturally based fair into the largest independent county fair and exposition in the United States. As the number of fair days and exhibits expanded, so did the number of fairgoers, increasing gate attendance figures to over one million visitors annually. While fair traditions have provided continuity over the decades, the fair continues to evolve and renew itself through improvements to the fairgrounds, the addition of unique attractions, and an ongoing commitment to agriculture. Erie County Fair showcases the many dramatic changes that have taken place during the modern era of this fair. From the thrills of the midway and entertainment to nationally recognized agricultural, creative arts, and livestock competitions, the fair’s history comes alive through color photographs from the archives of the Erie County Agricultural Society.

In the fall of 1923, the Shelby Kiwanis Club developed a plan to create a county-wide fair combining the Boiling Springs, Fallston, and Union community fairs into one event. Through the sales of $20 shares of stock, $15,000 was raised to establish the Cleveland County Fair. The first fair was held in 1924 with 70,000 in attendance. Since then, the theme has always been to celebrate city and farm life coming together through such popular attractions as agricultural exhibits, livestock, carnival rides, stage show revues, stock car racing, tractor pulls, and demolition derbies. Today, the Cleveland County Fair remains the largest county fair in North Carolina and the county's largest continuing attraction, drawing attendees in from a 75-mile radius of Shelby. The average annual attendance holds strong at over 175,000 people.

Dating back to 1936, the Loudoun County Fair has been a place for the community to celebrate the agriculture of the area. Established for 4-H members to have a fair of their own, the Loudoun County Fair has provided a place, along with volunteers and the support of the community, for the children to exhibit their animals, home economics projects, and produce. After moving from Purcellville to Middleburg and then to Lincoln, the fair found a permanent home in 1956 on donated land in the Clarke's Gap area of Loudoun County. Since the 1957 fair, a livestock auction has been added, an auditorium has been built, and new barns have been erected. Take a step back, slow down, and enjoy the history and beauty of one of Loudoun's longest-running events, the Loudoun County Fair.

Dubbed the "Great Fair" in 1918, the Walworth County Fair is one of the largest in the United States. The fair festivities have been summer's final fling and a chance to welcome the coming autumn for generations of local residents and visitors alike. Each Labor Day weekend, thousands of enthusiasts from across the Midwest flock to the city of Elkhorn; in early years, 19 special trains even shuttled visitors from southeastern Wisconsin and every town along the length of the state line. Through a collection of 200 vintage images, author Taylor Pipes details the fair's rich history from its founding in 1851 to the present. Photographs depict celebration and fire, 4H judging and showing animals, and the rides and food booths that form an integral backdrop for any fair.

It is 1967 when a feud begins that could lead to the death of the one-hundred-year-old Chesterton county fair. When veteran reporter Art James is sent to investigate, he immediately delves into a case that will take him six days and hopefully provide him with a much-coveted feature story byline. Bob soon learns that the county is interested in selling the fairgrounds and that there are as many proponents as opponents to the sale. As Art interviews fairgoers, volunteers, and leaders, he unearths a conspiracy to hide the truth from the public until an agreement can be arranged between the county and a trucking firm. While Art’s feature articles win him welcome bylines, he becomes even more determined to stop the sham, before it is too late. To complicate matters even further, Art becomes smitten with fair volunteer, Jenny Glen. As the last night of the fair arrives, the future is decided—not just for the fair, but for Art and Jenny as well. In this compelling story, an investigative reporter on a quest to uncover the truth about the demise of a county fair finds love while uncovering a conspiracy led by greed and deception.

The Orange County Fair is one of Southern California's most anticipated summer events. From its first year in 1890 with a few livestock exhibits and horse races, the fair evolved into what is now a month-long extravaganza of rides, games and entertainment that still celebrates the importance of local agriculture. Millions of visitors have crowded the grounds over the years to enjoy the spectacle of everything from ostrich races and demolition derbies to its unique Centennial Farm and the time-honored All-Alaskan pig race. Author Chris Epting recounts more than a century of community history and revelry at the OC Fair.