History of the Gibson County Fair

This is the 157th annual Gibson County Fair, organized through Legislative Act in 1855, which encouraged every county in Tennessee to hold agricultural fairs each year in the fall. The first fair, called the Gibson County Agricultural & Mechanical Fair, was held October 22-24, 1856, making it the oldest county fair in the American South. There were no buildings, so a tent was used to protect and shelter the homemaking exhibits. The premium list for the first fair included yoke of oxen, barrel of flour, linseed, jeans, and homespun cloth of cotton.

The fair has been held continuously since its beginning, with the exception of the Civil War years, and the first years of reconstruction. Then, in 1869, it started up again and has been held every year since.

The Gibson County Fairgrounds have been located north, east and west of the city of Trenton, and have been at the present south location since 1966.

The Gibson County Fair Association is chartered by the State of Tennessee. The Fair operates under the direction of the officers and directors of the association interested in seeing the fair continue to grow. Any profit derived from the Fair is used for the improvement of the grounds, facilities, and in furthering agriculture and home economics.

The Fair Board appreciates the cooperation and support of the Gibson County Executive and Commissioners, private businesses and volunteers who have helped in numerous ways for the betterment of the Gibson County Fair for the entire county. The Fair belongs to YOU, THE CITIZENS of GIBSON COUNTY.

The Fair Association meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at the Martha Taylor Building on the Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping in any aspect of the fair, please join us and help support "Your Fair!"

A Farewell Note From
Miss Gibson County Fairest of the Fair 2011
Kailey Hayes

My history with the Gibson County Fair began at 6 months of age when my parents & grandparents took me to the Gibson County Fair Rodeo. I have not missed a single Gibson County Fair to date! During the last 20 years of attending the fair I have participated in everything I possibly could. I have entered items in the Youth & now Adult Premium categories, had pets in the dog show, competed in the Lil Tykes Rodeo until I was too old to enter & then started helping with it, participated in the 4-H Chick Chain as well as the Junior Livestock shows, I joined the Junior Fair Board when it was formed, been in the pageants & of course have ridden all the rides multiple times.

I have been in many pageants over the years, but the one title I always dreamed of but never won was the title of Miss Gibson County Fairest of the Fair. Just the sound of those words gave me a thrill. On August 27th, 2011 I was so nervous my heart was pounding & my hands were shaking as I was standing behind the curtain waiting. I heard the winners for 2nd Maid, & 1st Maid, a long pause….and then the words “and our 2011 Miss Gibson County Fair is Kailey Hayes! I came around the curtain, heard the crowd cheer & I realized my dream had come true!

I was so honored to have been chosen as the 2011 Miss Gibson County Fair & had the most amazing fair week of my life. My reign started by handing out ribbons at the Junior Livestock Show on Monday. I participated in Opening Ceremonies, was the Emcee for other pageants during the week, worked in the information booth & at other various activities, helped out at the Mud Bog, rode the rides numerous times & to end out the week & finish my fair duties was introduced at the Tractor Pull.

With the fair over, you would think that would be the end of my dream as Miss Gibson County Fair but No...I also had the privilege of traveling with several Fair Board members to Nashville in to attend the Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention and compete in the pageant with over 50 other young ladies from all over the state. Going to the convention & participating in the Tennessee State Fair Pageant was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I met 54 amazing and talented ladies whom I now consider friends and to top it all off I was chosen to accept the trophy on behalf of the Fair Association for AAA Division Championship Fair! It was more fun & exciting than I ever could have imagined.

I have several people I would like to thank. To Mama & Dad: You are my greatest supporters & have always stood beside me. I love you! To Convention Chaperone Suzanne Hickerson: SuSu, I know how much you love me since you agreed to be my chaperone even though you really do hate pageants. I cannot express how much I appreciate all you do for me. To my Make-Up & Hairstylist Gina Hampton: You are a wizard & did an amazing job on me for the Interviews and Pageants! To the Fair Board: Thank you for all the work you do year round in order to make our fair the BEST in the State! I know from experience how hard you work & it is appreciated. To Mr. Will Lowery: You are the Greatest Fair Board President! I was honored to be with you when we won the Championship Fair & I cannot begin to thank you for all you have done for me & for the fair. To Mrs. Teresa Lowery: You really deserve a medal for putting up with all my questions & nervous fits over the years, you have had more patience with me than I deserve & have helped me more than you know.

Kailey Hayes,
2011 Gibson County Fairest of the Fair

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