Fairs in Carroll County have been around since the 1870’s.

A Carroll County Fair Association was first mentioned in 1871 after buying the original fairgrounds from the Carroll Agricultural and Mechanical Association. This fairground and horse track was located at the corner of Highway 227 And Highway 42. This was the site of a few fairs before the land was sold by 1879.

In 1908, the Carroll County Fair was held in Sanders, KY, it was known as the Tri County Fair. Held in October, admission was 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for children under 12 years of age. This was also noted as the 1st Annual Carroll County Fair, from the fair catalog of that year. 

In 1920, the first fair was held in Carrollton. It was held in a warehouse on 4th Street.

In 1924, the Carroll County Fair was under the auspices of Farm Bureau in October. 

In 1927, the Carroll Co. Fair was held in the Lerman’s Building on Main Street under private management. Today this building is the home of the Jefferson Community College. 

In 1928, the fair was under the management of the Carroll County Fair Association and has been since.

In 1934, the Carroll County Fair moved to a new warehouse on 8th street called the Henry County Warehouse. Flyers boasted more seating and bigger arena for horse shows. The William L. Wheeler Hall of Justice and detention center are located there now.

In 1942, 43, 44, & 45, there were no Carroll County Fairs held because of WWII.

In 1946 And 1947, the Fair was held in the Brite- Lite Tobacco Warehouse on U.S. 42.

In 1948, there wasn’t a fair, this time due to not having a place to hold the fair. Brite-Lite had built a 2nd warehouse where the fairs were held. So the Fair Board decided to present a plan to purchase land for a permanent fair ground or have a long time lease. As of today both of the Brite-Lite warehouses are gone, a vacant lot remains and a new auto parts store has just built a new facility on the other site.

For many years the fairs were then held on the Carroll County High School grounds BUT did you know that the Carroll County Fair Board of 1946 named these 17 acres received from R.M. Barker as the Carroll County War Memorial Recreation Center before there was a high school at this location. Mr. Barker also gave $5,000 to the fair board. Many may even remember the horse stables and race car track that were there.