(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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Advice books, almanacs and periodicals of the 1800s encouraged farmers to improve farming techniques and try new methods. Many farmers did not readily adopt these new ideas. Agricultural reformers in this period enjoyed
far greater success in creating a vehicle to bring farmers together and highlight innovative and high-performing agricultural practices: the regional fair. Fair organizers rewarded farmers who produced top-of-the-line livestock and crops with prizes and publicity. Fairs enjoyed enormous popularity across the country and quickly became an agrarian institution. The Franklin County Agricultural Society founded the Franklin County Fair in 1848. The "Live Wire Fair" was already in its sixty-eighth season when organizers added this impressive entrance to the Fairground in 1916.

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New Entrance to the Live Wire Fair

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