History Of the Red River Valley Fair
The Lamar County Fair Association began in 1911 by five Paris businessmen: Guy S.
Caldwell, C. J. Musselman, John Gibbons, Rube Wells, and Dr. M. L. Maxwell. Their aim was
to arouse the Paris spirit and as a result of their first formal meeting these five men
put in $100.00 each and took hold of the project. They realized they would possibly sink
a lot of money into the enterprise and do a lot of useless work but they had faith in the
project, the people of Paris and Lamar County, and in themselves. They went to Henry
Clement and he loaned them the land for the fairgrounds for three years. Mr. Clement
loaned them the land at no rental charge and told them that he felt that in three years
they would want to buy the land. With the $500.00 they build the grandstand, race
track, put up one exhibit building and built 30 stalls for race horses. They found that
some people supported their efforts while others criticized them. At the end of their
first fair they found that they had planted a little plant in Paris and had a large debt.
They dug down and put up another $300.00 a piece and organized for the second year. The
second year they built more stalls, improved
the race track and added an exposition forthe merchants of Paris. They made great preparations for the fair and it rained most of
the fair. They just about broke even on the fair that year and they considered that
encouraging and began plans for the next year, believing that their luck would change.
They year they added stables and a little later they were damaged by a storm and had to
be replaced; but that little matter did not stand in their way; they were building for
the future. At the end of their first three years the prediction of Henry Clement came to
pass, they bought the 40 acres that had been loaned to them. They enlarged and went
into debt with the feeling that they would pull out eventually.
In 1916; year to the Paris fire; several people found a place to stay at the fairgrounds
since this area was not destroyed in the fire. The Fair Association did everything
possible to help the citizens of Paris as they homes lay in ashes. With the City in
ashes there was discussion as to have a fair for the year but they decided to hold the
fair and it was their most successful fair due to the fact there was plenty of money with
all of the building going on and the hopeful spirit that caused them to rebuild their
city also gave loyal support to the fair. In 1917 the fairgrounds
was used as a camp forthe soldiers. On Saturday before the fair was to begin on Tuesday there was a fire on the
fairgrounds-- 64 stalls had been destroyed and it looked like there would be no fair. But
with the determination of the five men they met at 8:00 AM Sunday morning and in less
than one half hour, orders were placed for the materials to rebuild; by 11:00 AM the
debris had been cleared away and a building contractor was on the job. Every
man possible was put on the job. On Tuesday morning the fair opened as had been
advertised. The Dallas News sent a reporter to Paris to take pictures and write a story
of the dedication of these people. The fair was a success but it was to a point of where
financially it was better to maintain the buildings they had at the time than to try to
add as they still had a debt to pay.
In 1920 discussion and plans were in the making to build a Coliseum and Agriculture
building. Discussion was high prices for materials and tight money but the Fair
Association had not seen anything but hard times so why stop now. They felt the bankers
would loan them the money for the buildings and the bankers knowing the background
of the five businessmen loaned them the money for the buildings. They contracted Mr. J.
L. Wees, an architect from St. Louis to design and oversee the buildings. Mr. Wees
designed the Paris Library, Roden Funeral Home, the fountain on the downtown Plaza,
the peristyle at Bywaters Park, and other buildings in Paris. He worked early morning
until late night to have the buildings ready for the fair of 1920. Not all of the
Coliseum was complete but it was enough to have the exhibits.
In the 1930's the Women's building was built. In the 1940's buildings were moved to the
fairgrounds from Camp Maxey for the exhibits. During the war years no fair was held and
the Fair Association had debts that could not be paid so the fairgrounds of
approximately sixty acres was sold to the City of Paris July 9, 1945 for $27,759.75 to
cover the debts. After the sale of the property the Fair Association then leased the
fairgrounds from the City of Paris.
June 1947 the Lamar County Fair Association incorporated and changed the name to Lamar
District Fair Association. In 1952 the corporation name was changed to Red River Valley
Exposition.
In the early 1950's the stage area of the Coliseum had to be removed and heydite block
was used in the west wall where the stage area had been removed; also a concrete floor
was made in place of the hardware floor in the building. After the concrete floor was
installed the State Highway Department had a painting of a large Lamar County map painted
on the floor. Repair work on the roof and ceiling was also done during this time. In the
1960's some of the older buildings had to be removed. In the early 1970's discussion
was held regarding if another fair would be held or not. At that time a group of Paris
businessmen reorganized the Fair Association and started to rebuild.
The next big building project was in 1975 when the Livestock Barn was constructed. In
1980 the Livestock Barn had to be enlarged the loan for the building was made with First
National Bank of Paris for $30,000.00.
In 1982 another big building project was undertaken and later we found that history does
repeat itself. In January 1982 we formed our building committee and started with our
plans to replace the old "Women's Building" with a building that could be used
throughout the year by various groups. This building would be 50 x 75 and had an
estimated cost of $40,000.00. Our committee met several times for planning for fund
raising events and during this time may wanted the building to be larger, this was when
the Kiwanis Club came forward and made a commitment of $5,000.00 that the building would
be large enough for the annual Pancake Day event. March 1982 we had changed the size of
the building to 50 x140. Our very first fundraiser was held during the Kiwanis Pancake
Day. Well, this was the day of the Paris tornado and we cancel our event; but we had
raised $200.00 before the tornado hit. The next project was a Spring Carnival in June; it
rained most of the week and the carnival had to be canceled two nights. We were
beginning to wonder if we could make it or if was meant to be; but we kept going; rummage
sales, bake sales, donations, meetings with service clubs; and we like the five men in
1911 had the faith and confidence that we could do it. We tore down the old building and
in August 1982 the foundation was poured for the building. The Fair was the first of
September and we had a shell of a building so we held Bingo games in the building with
temporary lights and borrowed tables and chairs. In October 1982 we had our annual
meeting inside the building with temporary lights and our own tables and chairs (they
came in the day before the meeting). After the annual meeting we had a Craft Fair in the
building once again with no heat/air, restroom facilities and used temporary lights.
We joined forces with the Paris Jaycees to have a Halloween Carnival at the old Paris
High School Gym; had a skate-a-thon; more rummage sales; sold cakes during Thanksgiving,
and finally by April 1983 had the electricity installed. The dedication ceremony
was held May 29, 1983. We made a loan on the building for $35,000.00 with Liberty
National Bank and the finance report shows that nearly $100,000.00 went into the
construction of the building (including the loan amount). This building was built by the
community so the formal name for the building is Community Exhibit Center. Various groups
use the building throughout the year for their events.
In 1984 we put asphalt and curb and gutter around the Community Exhibit Center which
helped with the looks of the building as well as getting us out of the mud. An outdoor
stage was built in the area beside the Community Exhibit Center. Fencing was installed on
various parts of the fairgrounds.
1985 the tile floor was finally installed in the Community Exhibit Center and metal
bleachers were built for the outdoor stage area.
1986 the name of the organization was changed to Red River Valley Fair Association, Inc.
and is identified as a 501©C non profit organization.
The Junior Livestock Association build a new concession stand and office building in
front of the Livestock Barn in 1986.
In 1986 the old Poultry Barn and Hog Barn had to be removed.
The Coliseum Building had to be restored in 1986. The City of Paris, the Lamar County
Commissioners, the Paris Visitors and Convention Council of the Chamber of Commerce and
the Fair Association donated $9,000.00 each for the restoration. The Paris Lions Club
restored the front of the building for their concession area. The restoration of the
building was completed in 1987. During the time the building was being restored
application was being made for a historical marker for the building. The marker
was placed in front of the building on opening day of the Fair in 1987.
In 1988 the outdoor stage was destroyed by a storm and had to be replaced. More fencing
was installed in various areas of the fairgrounds.
Building "B" was built in 1989. This building is located across the street from the
livestock barn and was first designed for a poultry exhibit building. It was later turned
into a building for Bingo games to be conducted for funds for the Fair Association.
The building will seat 300 people; with small kitchen area; handicapped restrooms; and
two shower rooms at the back of the building for use of those people brings RV's to the
fairgrounds. A loan of $60,000.00 was made for Building "B" with First National
Bank of Paris. The building was constructed by James Winters, Sherwood Plumbing, Power
Heat & Air and Olen Jordan Masonry. The outdoor stage was finished from work started in
1988 to replace the stage after the storm.
In 1992 a bridge was built across the creek behind the livestock barn to the west parking
lot. Livestock wash racks were installed behind the livestock barn. Culverts and
driveways for the west parking lot was also installed. Work was done by Buster
Construction and Drake Construction. Also, in 1992 the old Horse Barn had to be removed.
That area is now used for an entertainment area behind the Coliseum. Electrical work of
guard lights were installed on the parking lots.
Restrooms and a Pole Barn was constructed behind the livestock barn in 1993. During this
time concrete walkways were poured inside the livestock barn. Work was done by Jimmy
Darnell, Hilliard Construction, Sherwood Plumbing, Olen Jordan Masonry, Hanson
Electric and Jack Hooge. Also, in 1993 we installed a large information sign at the North
entrance of the fairgrounds. Sign was purchased and installed by Anthony Sign Company.
More guard lights were installed on the fairgrounds.
The West Side Exhibit Building was built in 1994. The building was designed for smaller
functions; such as family reunions, seminars, etc. The building will seat 100 people with
a small kitchen area; handicapped restrooms; central heat and air. The building was
built with an office and Boardroom to be used by the Fair Association. A loan was made
for $80,000.00 for this building with First National Bank of Paris. The building was
constructed by James Winters, Robert Ray, Hanson Electric, Power Heat & Air, Sherwood
Plumbing.
R V Hookups were installed next to the carnival grounds area in 1994. The RV area is used
during the Fair as well as during the year for other events. The area has electrical and
water for 15 RV's and is fenced in. The work was done by Hanson Electric, Sherwood
Plumbing and Emerson Fence.
In 1995 more concrete walkways were installed in the Livestock Barn. The work was done by
Hilliard & Sons Contractors. The Paris/Lamar County Young Farmers terminated their lease
agreement for the property on Fitzhugh Street of the fairgrounds for their Tractor Pull.
Work was then started to repair and maintain that area of the fairgrounds. The property
was east of the creek to Clement Road, Fitzhugh and Hickory Street.
In 1996 more concrete was poured in the livestock barn in the front area under the
bleachers and around the office. Additional livestock wash racks and tie downs were
installed. The work was done by Hilliard & Sons Contractors.
In 1997 the county Commissioners donated a historical bridge to be located on the
fairgrounds. The bridge was installed over the creek between the Carnival grounds and
East Parking Lot. Gary Hilliard Construction was in charge of the installation.
The "Big Time Bingo" building was built in 1997 on the corner of Fitzhugh and Clement
Road. The building will seat 400 people; includes a smoking and nonsmoking area; office;
complete concession kitchen. The building was constructed by Bobby Smallwood; Hanson
Electric; Sherwood Plumbing; Jamar Heat/Air; Spencer metal. A loan was made with First
Federal for $250,000.00.
A Food Court was installed at the front of the Carnival grounds in 1998. The area
contains water, sewer, and electric and was installed by Sherwood Plumbing and Hanson
Electric. Pat Crabtree with Crabtree Amusements helped with the expense in installing the
Food Court.
The Children's Barnyard was constructed in 1998. The building was built by donations of
material and labor by: Bobby Smallwood, David Buster, Tiger Emerson, Hanson Electric,
Woody's Roofing, Gary Hilliard and Tab's Portable Buildings. The Barnyard is located in
the area between the Coliseum and Livestock Barn. The Barnyard is also used throughout
the year by other organizations for various events.
The "Tot's Spot" was constructed in 2000. This is a covered play area located behind the
Coliseum close to the Children's Barnyard. The work was done by W. H. Brumley and Emerson
Fence.
In 2000 the Coliseum roof had to be replaced. The City of Paris and the Paris Visitors
and Convention Council of the Chamber Commerce donated $5,000.00 each; the Lions Club
donated $500.00 and we made a loan for $11,000.00 and replaced the roof with a metal
roof. James Winters installed the new roof.
In March 2001 blown in insulation was installed on the lower ceiling and archways of the
Coliseum ceiling. The work was done by Jerry Dockary, Northeast Texas Insulation.
March 2002: new wash racks for the livestock area were installed by Hilliard Construction
and Sherwood Plumbing for a total cost of $2,237.00. During the summer of 2002 a new
livestock pavilion was built behind the original livestock barn. The building was
constructed by Jeff Mahan Welding. The bleachers and sheep/pig pens were constructed by
W. H. Brumley Welding. The electrical work was done by Hanson Electric. The pavilion
extends over the newly constructed wash racks. The total cost of Livestock Barn # 3 was
$23,968.40.
In July 2002 a portable building was donated to the Fair Association by Rick McDougall.
The building was moved to the Fairgrounds from McDougall Olds Cadillac and set up in
front of the Livestock Barn. We installed insulation, paneling, flooring, an office
window, and heat & air in the building. The building is used for the office for the
livestock shows. Total cost for the completion of the livestock office was $2,975.00.
Also during the summer of 2002 a pipe fence was installed on the front of the North
parking lot. This work was done by Emerson Fence Company.
In November of 2002 the entry of the Coliseum was redone and an overhead door was
installed. The work was done by W. H. Brumley and Larry's Overhead doors.
February 2003: the windows in the Coliseum were replaced with glass windows. This work
was done by Bobby Smallwood Construction and the total cost was $5524.91.
Today the Red River Valley Fair Association is still trying to do what the five
businessmen started in 1911; trying to arouse the Paris spirit and building for the
future.
