Verde Valley Fair

From Verde Valley Fair Website:

Verde Valley Fair
May 2-6-2018

Verde Valley Fairgrounds
Cottonwood, AZ

The Verde Valley Fair Association, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1948. The Verde Land and Development Company donated 60-70 acres to the Verde Valley Fair Association, Inc. for a permanent racetrack, baseball field, and rodeo grounds. The Verde Land and Development Company stipulated that the land be used for recreational purposes.

Race horse stalls were constructed in 1950. These were the first buildings constructed on the grounds. In 1965, the first Verde Valley Fair was held in downtown Cottonwood. Several area residents were instrumental in bringing calf sales into the Verde Valley. The calf show took place on the baseball field behind the Civic Center. The American Legion was used for 4-H exhibits, and the Civic Center for open exhibits.

The Verde Valley Fair was reorganized in 1966 and the Fair was moved to the current location. Two big tents were brought out of Phoenix and portable panels were borrowed from the Arizona State Fair. A livestock barn was built in 1967 for the Fair. However, a heavy snowstorm during the winter of 67' caved in the building. Mingus Union FFA contributed to the rebuilding of the barn.