Van Buren Youth Fair - Hartford

A county fair of one type or another in Van Buren County can trace its beginnings back more than 150 years. Although it was not known as a county fair, the first mention of a fair came during the summer of 1851 when the Van Buren Agricultural Society was formed. Jay R. Monroe served as its president.

That fall, the first fair was held at the courthouse square in Paw Paw. The stock were tied to trees and the courtroom was used as a floral hall. In 1852, the fair moved to the Village of Lawrence, south of the Lawrence United Methodist Church. During 1853-54, the fair returned to Paw Paw. In 1855, the fair once again made its way back to Lawrence.