Here’s a look back at the very early days of the Chelsea Community Fair from a chronology shared by Lloyd Grau. This year’s fair takes place Aug. 21-Aug. 25.
1872: First annual Fair of Northwestern Farmers Club of Washtenaw County held in Chelsea, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3-4, 1872.
1873: Charles H. Wines appointed general superintendent of Second Annual Fair of Northwestern Farmers Club held Oct. 1-3.
1874: Third Annual Fair of Northwestern Farmers Club of Washtenaw County. A success in terms of interest and finances. Fair dates Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 1874.
1875: Northwestern Farmers Club of Washtenaw County held their fourth annual fair, Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 6-8, 1975.
1876-1885: No mention of any fairs being held in “The Chelsea Herald.”
1886: First annual fair held under the new organization Western Washtenaw and Eastern Jackson Agricultural Association held Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 1, 1886.
1887: Second annual fair of Western Washtenaw and Eastern Jackson Agricultural Association held Sept. 27-30.
1888: Third annual exhibition of Western Washtenaw and Eastern Jackson Agricultural Association, held Sept. 27-30.
1889: Fourth Annual Fair of Western Washtenaw and Eastern Jackson Agricultural Association held Sept. 25-28.
1890: Western Washtenaw and Eastern Jackson Agricultural Association held first spring fair Wednesday, June 11, 1890.
