A Brief History of the Union County Fair Association
On September 22, 1872, the first Fair Board was established in a meeting in Cove, Oregon.
Officers and committees were chosen to put on the first County Fair, which was held on the streets of
Old La Grande on C Avenue—now the top of 4th Street.
Gekeler Lane was the major road for the people in the valley to come to La Grande.
The first fairgrounds were constructed the next year on 80 acres near Gekeler Lane & Buchanan Lane.
~ Present Fairgrounds ~
Courtright building 1926
Exhibit Building 1947-1948
Cattle Barn 1948
Food Court 1949
Hog Barn 1950s
Sheep pens (lean-to on barn) 1958
Mount Emily Building 1964-1965
Officers and committees were chosen to put on the first County Fair, which was held on the streets of
Old La Grande on C Avenue—now the top of 4th Street.
Gekeler Lane was the major road for the people in the valley to come to La Grande.
The first fairgrounds were constructed the next year on 80 acres near Gekeler Lane & Buchanan Lane.
~ Present Fairgrounds ~
Courtright building 1926
Exhibit Building 1947-1948
Cattle Barn 1948
Food Court 1949
Hog Barn 1950s
Sheep pens (lean-to on barn) 1958
Mount Emily Building 1964-1965
mEET THE uNION cOUNTY fAIR sTAFF AND bOARD mEMBERS
The Union County Fair Board exists to provide a resource to the community of both rural and urban heritage while showcasing 4-H , FFA, and community members to enhance education and leadership. We provide agricultural opportunities for all attendees, meeting the interests and challenges of a changing world.
We are a group of talented and conscientious volunteers whose goal is to lead and strengthen our programs at the Fair.
We are a group of talented and conscientious volunteers whose goal is to lead and strengthen our programs at the Fair.
Fair Board Manager

Kathy Gover Shaw
Grounds Keeper

Board MembersJamie Jo Haddock -President
Melinda Becker-Bisenius- Vice President Heather Rajkovich -Secretary Codi Eby- Treasurer Carrie Bushman Deb Cornford Tim Topliff |
Meetings The Union County Fair Board meets monthly on the third Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Fair Office. The Fair Office is located at K Avenue near the Union County Administrative Office. |