1930 - 1934
The first annual session of the Rains County Fair, as well as succeeding fairs until the fair grounds were purchased, were held on the courthouse square in Emory. No entry fees were charged for exhibits. Ribbons were awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, with cash prized for the best booths, $7.50 for 1st place, $4.00 for 2nd place, and a ribbon for 3rd place. The agricultural exhibits included milo maize, Hegari, Darso, oats, barley, rye, Kaffir, sorghum, soy beans, sweet clover, Sudan grass, peanuts, apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, figs, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, green snap beans, blackeyed peas, cream peas, field peas, onions, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, cashaw, pumpkins, watermelon, ribbon cane stalks and ribbon cane syrup. Textiles included fancy sewing, embroidered pillow cases, dresser scarves, vanity set, center piece, embroidered towels, luncheon set, bedspread, needle point tapestry, infant wear, and quilts. Culinary entries included breads - white, plain biscuits, rolls, pone corn bread; cakes - pound, angel food, tea cakes, doughnuts and chocolate layer; pies - half moon apple fried, potato custard and molasses; candies - date loaf, peanut brittle and chocolate fudge. Home Dept. entries included preserves, jellies, canned fruits, canned vegetables. Best School booths were awarded $5.00 for 1st, $2.50 for 2nd, and a ribbon for 3rd; the booths were judged on general appearance, originality, quality and quantity.
Oct 31 - Nov 1, 1930 : 1st fair held in Rains County
Officers : J.H. Foster, President
John T. Rushing, V.P.
D.B. Yandell, V.P.
Dr. P.W. Pearson, V.P.
Gill McKay, V.P.
T.N. Winn, County Agent
Sam Braziel, Sec/Treas.Publicity Committee : Tom W. Hill, Chairman J.E. Fulkerson
Prof. T.H. Howard Sam Braziel
Miss Ethel Whittle Judge H.D. Garrett
Judge J.T. RushingGrounds Committee : S.H. Hood, Chairman T.N. Tackett, Jr.
J.A. Amis S.P. Cain
S.C. Alexander C.A. Southerland
G.E. Cox Monroe Arrington
O.B. Cline A.J. Meyer
B. F. LambertEntertainment Committee : Morris H. Roach, Chairman Mrs. Will Harris
T.N. Tackett, Sr. J.E. Fulkerson
Mrs. Emma B. Edwards Miss Bill Amis
Miss Nellie Grey Hill Lute Lennon
Earl Sybert Joel Lennon
Mrs. F.S. Alexander Will Harris
Mrs. S.H. Hood Miss Christine WeverPrize Committee : Sam Amis, Chairman H.O. McCallon
F.C. Montgomery Buster Davis
Eugie Lynch A.A. Plaxco
D.S. Peoples H.H. McMillon
C.V. Ray B.B. Rabb
Home Department Committee : Mrs. R.T. Pearson, Supt. Mrs. J.A. Amis
Mrs. W.R. Huddleston Mrs. Chas. D. Horton
Mrs. Maude Seaton Mrs. R.M. Pollard
Mrs. Alex Humphrey Mrs. B.B. DavisAgricultural Exhibit Committee : Russell Gorman, Supt. Sam Amis
A.V. Terry Tom Thornton
S. Barker K.F. Looney
S.H. Terry George Clements
L. Martin Jim Kennemer
J. Middleton J.W. Formby
C. Huff B.L. Meyer
J.A. Abercrombie W.A. Curtis
Bill Scott Hick Engleman
Dick Clewis Rufus Barton
A.N. Betts.Livestock Committee :
Cattle M.M. Vincent, Supt. Alex Humphrey
W. Pounds Robert Hunter
E.M. Mason J.J. Jenkins
D. King H.B. Jones
John Plaxcowine : Fred Blanton, Supt. M.Y. Willis
M. Gilley C.O. Shultz
Joe Kennemer Cal WilliamsHorses & Mules : H. Horton, Supt. G. Luckett
C.C. Freeze Gus Osborn
D.N. NelsonPoultry : Guy Holman, Supt. Charlie Clayborne
W.R. Huddleston Bill Northcutt
W.W. Gilbert C.B. HortonCommunity Booth Dept. : Mrs. G.D. McKay, Supt. Miss Opal Rushing
Mrs. T.N. Winn Mrs. M.M. Vincent
Mrs. M.M. Pollard Mrs. W.A. Harris
Jim McBrideGirls Dept. : Mrs. T.N. Winn, Supt. Miss Eunice Alexander
Mrs. Ivy S. Price Miss Peggy ArnoldBoys Club Dept. : Douglas Vincent, Supt. E. McGee
L. Neal James French
S.H. HendrixSchool Dept. Committee : Miss Della Dorn, Supt. John Smiley
Mrs. W.M. McGowan S.O. SpinksConcession Committe : R.T. Pearson, Chairman "Chig" Alexander
Will Harris Mrs. Dave Nabors
Nellie Grey Hill
Entertainment
Friday 10:30 - 11:00 - Grand Parade of School Children - by Schools
11:00 - 12: 00 - Sight-seeing touring of the exhibits
12:00 - 1:00 - Noon meal
1:00 - 2:00 - Sack Races, Jumping, Running, & other games for girls
and boys. Horse Shoe Pitching and other games for men.
2:00 - Football game, Lone Oak vs. Emory
A good full evening's entertainment, beginning at 7:00 and lasting until 11:00
Saturday 9:00 - Track events for boys and girls
Fat men's races for the men
10:00 - Mule & Pony races
12:00 - Noon
1:00 - Games for the girls and boys
2:00 - Basketball games.
Other features will be added, and 2 full day of clean, wholesome entertainment
will be planned for all. Also, 2 full nights of good programs.
Oct 23-24 1931
J.H. Foster, President
G.D. McKay, V.P.
Sam Braziel, Sec/Treas.Entertainment :
Friday : Band Concert by Lone Oak Band
tarrapin race
egg race
sack race
Saturday : Baby Show
parade of prize-winning livestock
Negro Buck Wing Dance (prizes offered)
Free Battle Royal
Old Fiddlers' ContestOct 27 - 29, 1932
Entertainment
Thursday : carnival
Friday : "Alba, Yantis, Quitman, Lone Oak & Grand Saline Day"
Lone Oak vs. Emory football game
Colt Show
Stringed Orchestra
Saturday : "American Legion and Old Settlers' Day"
parade of Ex-Service Men of All Wars
livestock parade
baby show
old fiddlers' contest
carnival
Bellah's Minstrel Show - Blackface local talentOct 26 - 28, 1933
Entertainment
Thursday : carnival
Friday : Grand Parade of School Children
Welcome by Judge H.D. Garrett
Colt Show
football game
Dough Boys
carnival
Saturday : American Legion and Old Settlers' Day
parade of Ex-Service Men of All Wars
Ladies' Riding Contest
Goat Roping ContestOct 26 - 27, 1934
E.O. Disman, Pres.
G.D. McKay, V.P.
Earl Hill, Secretary
Sam Braziel, TreasurerExecutive Committee : Sam Braziel Leon Stuart
G.D. McKay R.T. Pearson
F.C. Montgomery Tom Tackett, Jr.
B.B. Rabb Joe HoodEntertainment
Friday : carnival & exhibits
Grand Parade of School children
Colt Show
judging of booths, livestock, poultry & agriculture
dough boys
carnival
free rodeo
Saturday : "American Legion and Old Settlers' Day"
Working an Unbroken Mule
free rodeo
Horse Pulling Contest
Negro Quartet
parades
baby show
old fiddlers' contest