The original charter signed in 1792 guaranteed the citizens of Sheldon the right to set up a “Fair” twice per year as soon as the population exceeded “50 families”. The first Agricultural Fair took place in October 1838. Attendees witnessed displays of cattle, farm animals, home manufactured items, and fruits of the soil grown over the previous summer.
After The Franklin County Agricultural and Mechanical Society formed it held an annual fair each September with monetary rewards for display competitors totaling and then a large $2,500. The Franklin County Fair Association declared that the 1915 fair represented the 50th annual exhibit at these grounds.
Two large grandstands dominated the fair with horse races daily. Under the grandstands exhibitors displayed their wares. The CVRR built a special “Fair” siding to accommodate fair goers who mostly came by train and also by horse and buggy or as we are told “walked” for several miles. The automobile served as the primary means of transport after around 1915 contributing to the demise of the fair.
About 1920 “Floral Hall” built by the Fair Association allowed for a more feminine approach to displays and as the name hinted the ladies used it to display flowers and household items.
By the mid 1920’s the private automobile began to replace the passenger train for personal travel offering families a great variety of attractions to travel to. Unfortunately the fair began to fail and eventually closed in 1931. After the fair closed the property eventually was purchased and the original Floral Hall became the Moonlight Ballroom and then the Sheldon Casino.