A message from the Rochester Historical Society and Museum:

On Thursday, September 10th at 6 pm sharp, the first speaker of our new fiscal year will give us a presentation on a subject dear to the minds and hearts of Rochester’s citizens: a comprehensive look at The Rochester Fair. Mark Perry is the man whose knowledge and experience with the Fair extend over decades. Get ready for a dizzying ride…

The Rochester Fair. Think back, those of you who remember its glory days. Let your mind wander down the midway of your past while its cotton candy psyche recalls the smells and sounds of a famed local event that was famous in the region and anxiously anticipated by old and young alike.

Remember the crisp afternoons of blue sky outlining the main exhibition buildings with their interesting architecture? Remember the colors and the sounds of pipe organ music you heard from the moment you entered the parking lot? The smell of the animals. The sounds of joy as kids lined up for rides on the Tilt-A-Whirl and the Ferris Wheel? The Merry-Go-Round with its horses rising up and down? The cars that bumped into each other?

The afternoons blended into cobalt evenings, and the hint of stars would dot the dark. A chill would come on and we’d go to the Exhibition halls to warm up. We saw quilts and jellies and photography exhibits and the latest developments in home appliances and tractors as we walked from room to room and inhaled the coffee-filled air while people gazed at crafts and scuffed along the wooden floors as they milled about. The smiles and sounds of laughter were ubiquitous and reminded us of how life was meant to be enjoyed at events like this.

Back outside, we saw food offered everywhere, but the most delicious smell of all was fresh pizza being plucked from the oven. The smell of tomato and crust filled the nearby air as people waited in line for it, salivating. People nearby were shooting at targets in hopes of winning a prize, and old friends who hadn’t seen each other for months recognized each other and hugged and laughed. Kids who ran out of money came to their parents to ask for more so they could ride the Ferris wheel or the Dive-Bomber. Sausages and onions with peppers simmered on grills. Races were being announced in the distance. A deep voice on a microphone somehow gave a solemn dignity to whatever was taking place. The Midway was a mirage of magic, sparkling with neon and color and swirling activity.

Now we’ll leave this memory of Oz and return to the reality at hand.

Mr. Perry’s presentation will be both interesting and informative. He will show us some interesting artifacts. Our archivists at RHS have assembled a lot of objects and put them on display. This should be a fine way to begin our new fiscal year, and we look forward to seeing you there. As always, the public is invited. We always welcome new members at RHS.

On behalf of the Board of Directors at RHS, I’m pleased to announce this event.

Sincerely,
Ralph Montgomery, President of RHS