White County Fair
Arkansas’ Best – How it Happened

Submitted by: Wendell “Buddy” Phillips

Buddy is a past president/manager of the fair, retiring in 2010 after serving 45 years on the board and is now an emeritus board member. He has visited all 75 fairs in Arkansas.

The first White County Fair was held in 1883 at Judsonia for three consecutive years. Then it “fell apart.” Through the depression years fairs were held “sporadically,” often skipping years. But since 1935 it has been an annual event.

The first fair held at Searcy, in the early 1930’s, was set up where the former Searcy Laundry was located (now Cintas). Wrape’s Stave Mill on south Main Street had a large warehouse which was used for exhibits. Also, two large tents were set up. There were displays by the Home Demonstration Clubs, implement companies, equipment dealers as well as merchants. Some livestock and poultry were exhibited.

Another first was the Grove’s Carnival, which provided six rides, seven “side shows” and twenty-five concessions or “joints.” The roll plane and motor scoot were exciting rides. Many lost their billfolds and/or change riding the roll plane (loop-o-plane). Some lost much more if they had just visited the food booth. Screams could also be heard. The big draw was 100 AAA White Rock baby chicks given away by Thompson’s Hatchery.

In the early 1940’s the fair moved to school property: north of Moore Street, and south of McRae Street and Lion Stadium. Livestock sheds were built and a large white building which once housed the NYA (National Youth Administration, one of the FDR programs) was used by the fair for several years. Then, in 1951, Birdseye Foods moved into the building. This required tents to be used again for fair displays and exhibits.

Entertainment varied. Sometimes a football game between Searcy and Morris School, Boxing Battle Royales, and local horse racing, were part of the featured acts. Also, fine Tennessee walking horses from the stables of Dr. Porter Rodgers, Sr., which produced world champions, were exhibited. Gospel quartets and bands performed as well. All these events were free to the public, which was a two and a half day affair.

1954 was a memorable year, when the fair moved to its present location on the county owned “poor farm.” Three frame livestock building were built, and two are still in use. Also built at that time were buildings for swine and poultry. Tents were set up for exhibits.

In 1956 a large block building was erected to house exhibits. A grandstand spanning about three hundred feet was constructed overlooking the race track. This also served as seating for entertainment from a stage across the track. Local horse racing, trotting horses, as well as circus acts and the Swinson’s “Thrill Cade” stunt cars were featured.

In the late 1950’s the grounds were enclosed with admission first being charged. The crowd was built by drawing for two new cars and a new truck the last three nights of the fair. This was done with the cooperation of local merchants, who purchased tickets from the fair and gave a customer one ticket for every dollar spent with them. This continued for several years after which food freezers and color televisions were awarded. But by this time, the fair had grown in so many areas that attendance was established.

A second block building was built behind the first one. This housed educational arts and crafts, leaving the front building for commercial exhibits. Both have now been replaced by one metal building with heat and air.

In 1955, the fair was renamed White County Fair Association and was incorporated. Today it is a 501 C-3, non-profit organization, consisting of 23 board member and three ex-officio members. The board members meet each month. Their terms are six years.

An annual event is the White County Fair Queen pageant. The first pageant was held in 1957 and Sue “Dean” Ekdahl was crowned at the age of 16. Sue was from Letona.

In 1960 the Senior Citizen’s Day began at the fair. Co-chairmen were Bob Burns and King Blackburn. It was held in the small pavilion in front of the exhibit building. About two hundred people attend the first event. Today the event is sponsored by the White County Medical Center and as many as 1,500 attend each year. Participants receive free admission, health checks, prizes and a great noon meal, while being entertained by a live western swing band. This is held in the entertainment center.

About 1966 an open-air rodeo arena was built. This proved to be very popular for attendees. In 2000, funds were secured by our state senator, (later became governor), Mike Beebe to cover the arena and make other improvements which makes it one, if not the best, arena in Arkansas.

Around the same time the first metal building was erected on the fairgrounds. This was used as a show ring and the Junior Market Livestock Auction was held. Since then, all new structures have been metal and clear span.

In 1970, a new livestock barn was built. Later metal swine pens were added with a show/sale ring.

A great honor came in 1984 when the White County Fair was named one of the Top 10 Blue Ribbon County Fairs in the nation by a survey of fairs from a California firm. This award was published in the Los Angeles Times.

2003 saw still another new metal structure constructed which houses sheep and goats in removable pens. This allows it to serve as a covered “warmup” area for horse shows and other events.

A 1,040 square foot building to house modern bathrooms was built in 2005 near the arena. This building featured showers and this addition was greatly appreciated by livestock showmen and the carnival workers

In 2008, a much-needed new office building was constructed by generous donations from Chesapeake Energy and others. This building was located on much higher ground than the 1956 office.

In 2011 a new Animal World facility was erected to accommodate ponies, poultry and rabbits with the help of contributors. This is an enclosed building and has now been converted to an equine building with 60 stalls.

For years the fair was sponsored by the Searcy Young Businessmen’s Club. Their first small pavilion is still in use.

The grounds are operated twelve months of the year with a hired grounds manager. Many events are held during the year. The arena hosts rodeos, horse shows, circuses, and tractor pulling contests and can seat 2,350 with over 200 horse stalls with 90 RV hook ups. The exhibit building and pavilions are also available for rent.

A new era began in 2013. For the first time ever, the White County Fair was an 8 day event and it remained that way for three consecutive years.

2019 brought a huge addition to the livestock barn with new and improved swine stalls, wash racks and a show arena. All of this was generously donated by area individuals and businesses who are dedicated fair supporters. Soon after that, new heat and air was installed in the educational building. All new LED Lights fixtures were installed in the rodeo arena and the merchants/educational building.

2020 brought the Covid Pandemic and the fair was canceled. However, the board modified their schedule and was able to host livestock shows for the youth. Different species were shown each day to abide by the regulations set forth. These shows still resulted in a highly successful Premium sale with no animals present.

Another annual event that’s a favorite of fair goers is the White County Fair Parade. It’s always on the first day of the fair and the route is through downtown Searcy and ends on East Race street. The highlight to the fair parade is the participation of the area high school bands and the Harding University marching band each year.

White County Fair is the “Greatest Show on Worth!” One admission pays all events, entertainment, autocross, horse show, demolition derby, youth rodeo plus two nights of rodeo and the best carnival midway of any county fair in the state. Anticipated total attendance is 55,000+.