Ramona Country Fair A Brief History

Research and stories prepared by Johnny McDonald, former public relations-television coordinator for four major county fairs in the southland.

Proud leaders in the Ramona community firmly believed fairs were an exhilarating way to present rural life,
promote agriculture and show off their fabulous climate.

At three different times in the community’s history, they opened the gates to outsiders with enticing gala festivities.

The first of these fairs came in the fall of 1914, when visitors far exceeded the number of residents. After a long absence, the newly organized Junior Chamber of Commerce took another shot at it in 1956, but after 1960, dwindling enthusiasm brought the production to an end.

Finally, a very active Fred Grand stepped forward in 1971, when Ramona’s population had grown to about 2,000. The Chamber of Commerce grabbed the reins and made another run at it. Thanks to Grand’s astute guidance, it became an August fixture.

Remarkably, the 1914 event was thrown together in three weeks of November. Called the Back Country Day Celebration, it opened under cloudy and rainy skies.

Magically, for the estimated 3,000 visitors, the clouds broke up and the rain was just enough to hold down the dust.

Fairgoers from San Diego County found many ways to get up the hill, mostly by the dependable South Eastern Railway. Trains ended the trip at Foster, and visitors were trucked the rest of the way.

The Santa Maria valley, with its setting of rugged mountains, was as much an eye-catcher as the fair. The Indians called it Big Valley.

Residents had the serenity of a small, modern, Western town with the added feature of being a short distance from the advantages of city dwellers.

The hungry congregation was treated to 2,500 free meals at the first fair. Of course, Julian representatives arrived with bushels of apples — an effective way to "sell" the area.

Although late in the harvest season, endless displays of agriculture were featured. A Calico Ball in the Town Hall, a blasting demonstration by Hercules Powder Co. and the Mesa Grande Indian dancers were highlights.

But not until May 1956, did an enthusiastic Junior Chamber of Commerce organize fair-type events and bring in a carnival. Some old-timers scoffed that this was not much more than a carnival.

"The purpose of the fair is to bring to you a knowledge of the business, agricultural and social activities of the area and also present an enjoyable weekend of Western living at its finest," said Herbert W. Houston, then-president of the junior chamber.

The ’57 show spread out to include things that went beyond valley boundaries, accepting assistance from neighboring communities. Reports indicate the Jaycees managed to attract more than 8,000 visitors.

Linda Mcintosh, from a long-standing pioneer family, was appropriately selected the first fair queen. Radio-TV star Smokey Rogers was grand marshal of the parade.

Livestock judging, horse shows and a flower show took place where the sheriff’s office is today. There was a square dance at the Town Hall.

This time known as the Ramona Community Fair, 4H and FFA clubs were represented by 75 youngsters whose 125 animals were judged for grand champion and reserve champion honors.

Mickey Shidner, a Jaycee member and former 4-H Clubber, said they were called field days because there was no auction. Animals were actually prepared for June’s San Diego County Fair.

"I borrowed pens from the El Cajon FFA," Shidner said. "Probably had about 2,000 people living here. Heck, the town ended at 12th Street...just a lot of fields.

"We gave out ribbons and selected grand and reserve champions, then they went to Del Mar. I guess kids thought once they became champions here they didn’t have to do anything more, so they finished well down in judging."

With apparent dwindling Jaycee enthusiasm, the show ended after 1960.

Floyd Watson of Valley Center came to the rescue and first established a junior livestock fair in Escondido and then moved it to Kit Carson Park. According to Shidner, Watson borrowed everything to produce the show.

Construction of a shopping center that would adopt the name North County Fair sent the livestock folks packing.

Again, Watson looked at Ramona and it was decided the valley was large enough to stage a junior fair.

Walter Schmid of Schmid’s Lumber and Supply said his 4-H leader mother, Emma, and Watson were instrumental in setting up livestock competition at the Ramona Fair.

‘I don’t recall some of the dates, but I remember getting a tractor and cleaning up the grounds for the livestock show," Schmid said.

Fred Grand, for whom the current arena is named, was the general chairman when the fair resumed in 1971. Nineteen volunteers were on his board, but Oscar Pike and Gordon Zick were his chief lieutenants.

Grand found time to run the fair despite his heavy schedule, which included a timber business, selling cars and growing Christmas trees.

In ’71, the fair, with September dates, was scattered. A horse show was at Pony League park, livestock was at Little League Park and Collier Park was also put to use.

The fair began small and grew quickly. The Santa Maria River bed was simply a water well field and Grand thought the sandy surface would be excellent for a fairgrounds.

The original Fred Grand arena was washed away in 1980. In ’81, it was moved farther up the river bed.

Though livestock has been a fixture since, the 1971 fair opened only with board member Ron Knaack’s cows. The 4H and FFA boys and girls were invited the next year.

In ’89, there were insurmountable obstacles. The original chairman had resigned five months earlier, forcing the chamber directors to assume responsibilities they hadn’t expected.

Enforcement of county fees by the sheriff’s office and regulations for commercial vendors resulted in a drop in concession booths, fewer carnival rides and a cancellation of entertainment. Albeit a profit loss, they learned quickly. The show must go on.