The McLean County 4-H Fair in Illinois has been a unique event in this county since 1923. It is believed to
be the oldest running and largest 4-H fair in the world.
The history fairs in McLean County dates back to 1852, nine years prior to the Civil War.
In 1877 a fair celebrating the 25th anniversary of the McLean County agricultural society was held.
The concept of helping young people achieve in agriculture had its birth in McLean County in 1917 with the forming
of a Boys and Girls Club program.
In 1918, 1,435 rural boys and girls enrolled in a 4-H Club program to raise gardens and livestock as their part
of the war effort. In 1919 an exhibit was held September 17 and 18 of that year in connection with the McLean County
Swine Breeders Association.
The idea of a 4-H fair was conceived in 1923. Thirty boys and girls exhibited livestock, a few vegetables and
sewing.
In 1927 the fair moved to Bongo Park which was located on Route 51 south of Bloomington.
In 1934 the fair moved to Fans Field behind the National Guard Armory on South Main Street.
In 1935 the fair was held at Illinois State University farms where Horton Field House now stands.
The fair moved back to Fans Field in 1936. The 1936 fair expanded to a three day run
In 1956 78 acres was purchased on the south side of Route 9, one-fourth of a mile east of U.S. Route 66. The
first fair there began its 4-day run, August 6-9, 1956.
Since publication of the book, the
following adds to the chronicle of the
Fair.
In 1997 the McLean County Fair moved to the Interstate Center west of Bloomington on Route 9. The site of the
first fair was just a few miles north of the new location
In 1998 the McLean County Fair began a 9-day
run from Friday to Saturday.
In 2000 the McLean County Fair
returned to a 5 day run from Friday to
Wednesday.
