County Fair Fixin’s

“At Healdsburg, the first county fair, we received a silver butter knife for the best butter,” recalled Mrs. Eliza Gregson, who had arrived in California’s Sonoma County in 1848. County fairs began as a way for local farmers and ranchers to show off their prized animals, agriculture and the products made from both. The best were awarded prizes and blue ribbons in categories such as shooting, dry goods, artwork, needlework and furniture. New technology items, like sewing machines, washin