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Community members examine a John Deere tractor
A few community members examine a john Deere tractor, while others chat, September 1999. Photo: Sue Brown

Pine Orchard Community Fair

Held the second Saturday in September in Oakdale, Tennessee, the annual Pine Orchard Community Fair has been a local tradition since 1938. Believed to be the only existing community fair in the state, it was started by Morgan County agent Charles Edwards and was originally held in an old one room school building. A new Community Building was completed in Oakdale in 1957 to be used for wedding receptions, showers, family reunions, and, not coincidentally, the Pine Orchard Community Fair. Original fair events such as hog-calling, husband-calling, pretty baby contests, sack races and livestock judging have long ago given way to more modern tastes. Today, the Fair's tractor, antique cars and engine shows, musical performances, chili supper, exhibits, crafts, and games such as community football, horseshoes, baseball and frisbee attract a crowd of almost 1,000 people every year. Surviving the test of time, however, one event has and has been part of the fair every year since its inception: the quilt raffle; monies raised are used for the upkeep of the Community Building. The Pine Orchard Community Fair has become an eagerly awaited annual event in the small, safe, and tight-knit Tennessee town of Oakdale.

This project was submitted by and was documented by writers, researchers, and photographers from the U.S. History class at Oakdale High School. Documentation includes a six-page written report, thirteen 8 x 10 photos, and local newspaper coverage of some of the fairs from 1961 to 1999.

Originally submitted by: Zach Wamp, Representative (3rd District).



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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

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