The Cleveland County Free Fair opens Sept. 10 for its 133rd year. The tradition dates to November 1893, when Norman hosted the county's first annual fair.
Oklahoma was still a territory then. Statehood was 14 years away. Cleveland County had been organized just three years earlier as County Three under the Organic Act of 1890, with Norman as its seat, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
This year's theme ties that long arc to a national milestone. "Celebrating 250 Years of America, One County Fair at a Time" aligns with OK250, the statewide initiative marking the nation's semiquincentennial through community events and educational programs.
Norman Transcript columnist Alexandra Philbrick put it plainly in a Sunday, Sept. 6, column: "133 year later, we're still gathering."
From Comanche Avenue to Robinson Street
For nearly four decades after its founding, the fair had no permanent home. It was held between Carey Lumber and the old feed store on Comanche Avenue in Norman, according to the Cleveland County Fairgrounds history page.
One year, a windstorm swept through and flattened a large tent full of livestock and fairgoers. No one was injured, but the scare spurred action.
The community rallied. A Fair Board was established with three founding members: Walter Williamson, Ken Poynor and Herb Mackey. County commissioners called a vote to purchase 15 acres at 615 E. Robinson St.
That's where the fair still stands.
The county that once counted 12,000 residents now tops 250,000 across Norman, Moore, Noble, Lexington and parts of Oklahoma City.
The schedule, Sept. 10–13
Admission and parking are free, a tradition rooted in a 1915 state law. Rep. Paul Nesbitt of McAlester introduced the bill allowing county commissions to operate "free fairs" funded by tax revenue, according to the fair's official website.
The Cleveland County Excise Board approved a $30,000 transfer on Aug. 27 from the Free Fair Board's capital outlay account to its maintenance and operations account for premiums and awards payments, according to county records.
The day-by-day schedule, according to Visit Norman:
Thursday, Sept. 10: Opening flag ceremony at 6:30 p.m., Wyatt Cox on the Main Stage. Free children's activities include a petting zoo, hayrides and hands-on farm-chore demonstrations by the Canadian Rivers Old Iron Club. No carnival Thursday.
Friday, Sept. 11: Wade Shows carnival opens at 4 p.m. Baby Crawling Contest, Stick Horse Race, Celebrity Cow Milking Contest and Farm Hand Olympics. Etowah Road on the Main Stage.
Saturday, Sept. 12: Car and Motorcycle Show, livestock competitions, antique tractor pulls, powerlifting, arm wrestling and the Oklahoma State Pedal Pull Championship. Brown Note on the Main Stage.
Sunday, Sept. 13: State Championship Wiener Dog Races, free to watch and free to enter. Kiowa Apache Blackfoot Society Ceremony. Jack Pratt Band closes out the Main Stage.
The fair runs at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St. in Norman.
