This is a partial history and a work in progress of the Roseau County Fair I have just begun to research it.  (We will also need 4-H history, if anybody has it, please forward.)  If you have or know of any history – from newspaper articles or other items – please email it to me or mail me a copy.  Thank you!  Julie Eaton – jeaton@wiktel.com or 37437 Co. Rd. 30, Roseau, MN  56751

Roseau County Fair History

1904 – The Roseau County Agricultural Association, which is the official name of the fair, was incorporated.  D. H. Benson is responsible for promoting the incorporation of the Agricultural Association.  Charter members of the Roseau County Fair Board were; Charles E. Olson, Israel Sjoberg, C.A. Pearson, S. T. Helkdol, G. M. Stebbins, D. H. Benson, A. Wagg, Roger J. Bell, A. H. Alley, John J. Ross, Bendix Hohldol.

1906 – The first Roseau County Fair was held, near the stop light in Roseau where the Budd Building and the American Legion now stand.  The first year of the fair was a one-day event.

1907 – The Roseau County Agricultural Association purchased the current fair grounds.  The purchase price was $1,750.00, 35 acres of land.  The racetrack was in good condition, but more buildings and an amphitheater were to be erected.  From the 1907 Roseau County Times, “Here’s to the success of the Roseau County Agricultural Association.  May it always exists and be a credit to the county and state.  Entertainment was Lee & Rogers, most laughable comedians and Asaida, the lady contortionist, along with a Farmer’s Race and a baseball game between Warroad and Roseau

1909 – Fair Board built four buildings:  24 x 60’ exhibit hall, 10 x 80’ horse barn, 10 x 80’ cattle barn,
and a 4 x 11’ ticket office.  All were built by H. C. Hanson labor and materials $745.00.

1913 – The fair was held in September and had to be cancelled just two weeks prior to the fair dates as a fierce summer storm blew down all the buildings.

1914 – A flood inundated the fair grounds on the second day of the fair as a result, the rest of that years fair was cancelled.

1918 – The fair began its 3-day run, but the board cancelled the last day, as the Roseau River had spilled its banks from heavy rains and water covered the fair grounds.
The second stock barn was built, $499.00 was spent to build a grandstand and music stand.

1920 – Electric lights installed on the fair grounds.
Help for the fair was hired at .50 cents an hour.
Cars were forbidden from driving over 10 MPH on the racetrack.
A poultry barn and stock barn were built by Walfred Johnson, for a total of $670.00.

1920’s – Evenings performances were not held until the1920’s when electricity from town was extended to the fair grounds.  Foot races and farm horse races were big items during the early years of the fair.

1927 – Built a new grandstand (no record of cost) and added a wing to the main exhibit hall.

1929 – Depression years, no new construction to be allowed except out houses.

1935 – Discussed a new addition to the grandstand.

1940 – Southeast wing of the exhibit hall added.

1941 – This was a special fair as many of our servicemen were home on furlough and anyone in uniform was looked upon with awe.
Ellis Grahn encouraged the Fair Board to build another cattle barn as soon as possible.

1943 – The fair was cancelled by the board because they felt with all the suffering in the world caused by World War II, that all energies should be focused on efforts to support our GI’s who were fighting and dying in Europe and the Pacific.

1944 – A ton of scrap iron would gat a family a season ticket to the Fair (WW2).

1948 – Ice contracted to the fair for .01 ¾ cents per pound.

1950 – Industrial building built by Wicklander Bros.

1954 – Built the 4-H building.

1970’s – Church Night at the Fair was started.

1976 – USA Bi-Centennial Celebrated!  Many activities were held in honor of this at the fair.

1988 – Paving of the walk ways around the fair grounds was done and paid for by the Veterans
 organizations of Roseau County.
            The Children’s Barn was built funded partially by the Roseau VFW and constructed by the 
 Roseau High School carpentry class of 1988.

2000 – Shade/shelter completed.

2001 – A tragic accident claimed the life of long time board member Clayton Brandt. Clayton ran the demo derby for the fair for many years before he became a board member.  A trophy in Clayton’s memory was purchased to annually list the winner of each years Demolition Derby.

2002 – June, Roseau flooded and so did the fairgrounds – water flowed through every building on the fair grounds one month before the fair.  The fair board purchased a couple of gas operated pressure washers and the maintenance crew, along with several volunteers, spent days washing the mud and clay out of all fair buildings.  No programs were cancelled some exhibits were affected by the flood.  We had large crowds at the fair, which allowed us to even show a small profit.  Because of severe flood damage to the old school house building on the grounds, the board approved the removal of that building.
            In 2001 the board approved the building of a new horse barn, with the flood it was decided that the building would have to wait.  The Roseau County Posse took it upon themselves to find the funds and in one week before the fair began construction.  The building was ready for use at the 2002 fair. Volunteers are the best thing that has happened to the Roseau County Fair!

2004 – With the road construction going on in the City of Roseau (due to the flood) the fair board had thousands of yards of fill hauled to the fair grounds (after the fair of 2003 was over).  The board has always wanted to lift the carnival area and the 2003 street repair allowed us that opportunity.  As soon as it was dry, the ground was to be bladed and the area covered with gravel and to be seeded.  Eventually the area was to be grass with a gravel base.  When the first carnival ride pulled in to the new area, it got stuck and the area was determined to be too soft for trucks and the carnival rides to be put up.  The carnival was moved to the parking lot south of the 4-H building for the duration of the fair.

2005 – The Fair Board commissioned Marv Espe to paint a Centennial painting for our 100 year anniversary.  This painting was unveiled at Church Night at the Fair and dedicated in honor/memory of the many years of service Buddy Magnusson volunteered to make the fair what it is today.

2006 – Roseau County Fair celebrates its Centennial!  100 years of fun! 

2007 – Addition to the Magnusson Building, more exhibit space is needed.

Some interesting facts about the Roseau County Fair!

Since the beginning of the Roseau County Fair (1906) all board members are volunteers, with many board members serving for 20 or more years.  Earl Giltvedth served longest as a volunteer for 46 years!

Current Fair Board Directors, Doug Magnusson and Julie Eaton are third generation board members, with their grandfather (Magnus B. Magnusson), father (Allan “Buddy” Magnusson) and two uncles (Vernon Magnusson and Yvonne Magnusson) serving previously.  Doug and Julie are the second set of siblings to serve at the same time, the first being Buddy Magnusson (their father) and his brother Yvonne Magnusson.

Minnesota Federation of County Fairs puts together a statistics report of each of the 96 fairs in the state.  The Roseau County Fair consistently rates in the top 10 percent of those fairs.

The beautiful flowers on the fair grounds are credited to Jeanne Hamess and Karolyn Eastman, they volunteer many hours to make the fair grounds look beautiful!  We thank them for their hard work.

Currently there are 15 Roseau County Fair Board members, the board is an all volunteer board.  The fair is would not be possible without the 100+ volunteers needed each year to get all the work done.

The voice of the Roseau County Fair is Carmen Prezkwas who has worked in the Secretaries Office during the week of the fair since 1986.  Marie Eklund has worked in the Secretaries Office for 30+ years during the fair.

Fair board officers are: John Gaukerud, President; Dale Billberg, Vice President; Warren Ulvin, Treasurer; Buddy Erickson, Secretary

Office Secretary – Deon Haugen