Tuesday, October 15 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am EDT
The history of The Great Danbury State Fair is the topic for the next gathering of the Ridgefield History Club at 10am on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the Historical Society’s Scott House at 4 Sunset Lane in Ridgefield, CT. Ridgefield History Club programs are free and open to everyone; new participants are welcome at any time. Come to share memories or just to listen.
Once one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country, The Great Danbury State Fair was a cherished event for generations of local residents until its closure in 1981 and the construction of the Danbury Fair Mall on the fairgrounds. From its early days in the 1800s to its grand finale, the fair drew crowds from across the region with its agricultural displays, midway attractions, horse racing, and entertainment. Many Ridgefielders have fond memories of visiting the fairgrounds, located just a few miles from town, and this is a chance to reflect on those experiences. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own Danbury Fair stories, photographs, and memorabilia to share during “show and tell”.
The Ridgefield History Club, an informal community storytelling program (it’s a conversation, not a lecture) of the Historical Society, meets for an hour the third Tuesday of every month to share memories and stories related to a specific topic in Ridgefield’s history. The discussion is recorded and cataloged in the Historical Society’s archive to preserve all the stories of Ridgefield’s people, places, and events for future generations. It’s also streamed live on Facebook and is uploaded to our YouTube channel.
Everyone is invited, just bring your love of history and your curiosity. Some people come to every session while others attend when the topic is of special interest to them. This is a great opportunity to connect with other history enthusiasts and learn something new about our wonderful town. Both longtime residents and newcomers contribute.
Seating is limited at the Scott House, so we ask that you register in advance here:
For more information about this free program contact the Historical Society at 203-438-5821 or [email protected].