1976 Jaycees’ Tri-State Fair ‘a huge success’
The year was 1976, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Fair had been resurrected by the Chattanooga Jaycees. A new location was secured through a contract with the city of Chattanooga, and by May General Chairman Mike Rugh announced that the Jaycees were “working to make it the best fair in the history of the area.” With plans to include activities for “individual likes and interests,” the new fair would offer a widely diversified show, including activities for all age groups with special emphasis on providing wholesome activities for children. Additionally, the Jaycees would be promoting community spirit, education and civic awareness with all profits used to support other community projects spearheaded by the Jaycees and Jaycettes.
Bill Siddon, Jaycees Fair carnival committee chairman, announced that the Century 21 Shows company was selected to coordinate the midway. The Fair Board visited more than a dozen fairs across the Southern states during its research period and talked with officials and operators. “We decided on this carnival because of its spotless reputation covering a 40-year period in other cities,” he said. Siddon noted that the board members were impressed by the quality of the equipment; none of the more than 30 major rides to be included was more than three years old, and several were unique to Century 21, having been designed and manufactured by the owners. Each component would be X-rayed for “developing cracks or material stress” before installation. No “girlie shows” would be allowed, and the only diversions allowed were guaranteed to be “completely honest games … offering a wide variety of prizes for skilled play.” More than 600 employees would accompany Century 21 Shows for set-up and operation. The company’s contributions to the local economy during set-up and fair week were projected to exceed $120,000.
On May 13, Chairman Bill Raines announced that the 1976 Jaycees Tri-State Fair would be open for business Sept. 3-11. “We are offering an opportunity for exhibitors to share their accomplishments, gain recognition and be rewarded with awards.” Each category of exhibit would be judged by experts. The deadline for entry forms at Jaycee Towers I was Aug. 6.
Livestock competition was expected to be fierce. Awards in that category would total more than $5,000. Jim Brown, dairy and beef exhibit chairman, would be joined by a host of Jaycees and Jaycettes serving as category chairs. Art, handicrafts and hobbies would be chaired by Suzanne Bush and Judy Copeland, while Thomasine Stansell and Cindy Davis would coordinate education and youth organization entries. Jan Waller and Becki Lawson were charged with the home demonstration area, featuring baking, sewing and canning entries. Ruth Travis would work closely with the 4-H Clubs as their members were expected to compete across multiple categories. And since horticulture and garden club exhibits had always been a high-traffic competition for Hamilton County fairs, Connie Selby and Karen Hembree would chair the exhibit hall entries, assisted by additional recruited members.
One of the most anticipated events of the Jaycees Tri-State Fair would occur on Sept. 4 with the “Fairest of the Fair” competition, open to young women ages 16-21. The “Junior Fairest of the Fair” would feature girls ages 13-15.
Competing in the Fairest of the Fair were: Nancy Kay Bolick, Ringgold; Debbie Jean Cooke, Rossville; Sharon Louise Carson, Rising Fawn; Desiree Denise Daniels, Chattanooga; Robben Jo Matthews, Red Bank; Patricia Ann Smith, Rossville; Katherine Elaine York, Lookout Valley; Marilyn Tresa Townson, Chattanooga Valley; and Jeannie Marie Gray, East Ridge, along with Cindy Shawn and Pat Keck. Misses Karen Suzanne Autry, Marcia Lynne Curvin, Kimberly Ann Edwards, Cristie Lee Holloway, Melinda Wooten, Dianne Spense and Kim Marie Sonier would compete in the Junior Fairest of the Fair category.
But for the thousands of children eagerly awaiting the fair, it was the midway attractions that were most exciting. Opening night reports by Pat Dupree, News-Free Press staff writer, added to the excitement: “… that same piece of land has been transformed into a kaleidoscope of billowing tents, colored lights, oompah music and a midway guaranteed to bring back all the memories …” Indeed, the fair was a huge success with attendance “that had already topped the expected 100,000 people” by late Friday evening.
Doug Chinery, publicity chairman, announced that planning had begun, and “next year will be bigger and better.” After all, who doesn’t love a fair?