Hamilton Montana Fair Grounds

The beginning of the Hamilton Fair Grounds was a colorful tent city in 1913.

Ravalli County purchased the present day fairgrounds from the Stock Farm for $9,750 on June 6, 1913. The area was just under 40 acres.

The project was managed by J.E. Totman, president, James F. Torrence, secretary and H.H. Grant, treasures. The first project was to construct a grandstand and race track. A two-year loan for $3,000 was acquired from a local bank and a flurry of activity in sued in preparation for the first fair in October.

Today the Safeway building is located on the ground where the old grandstand stood. Part of the uncovered grandstand was moved to the new ground location and is still there today.

The week before the fair in 1913, huge tents were effected giving an appearance of a white tent city. Tents measuring over 300 feet in length housed fair exhibits. Altogether there were 5 large tents.

The paddocks on the east side of the fairground contained 30 box stalls, and there were 2 sheds for the sulkies. The race track was a half mile circular track marked by tall white posts for the furlongs. It was quite a sight for the new, flourishing town on Hamilton.

There was a twelve-round boxing event held in the Lucas Opera House. It was the feather-weight championship of the northwest.

Tickets for the "Great Ravalli County Fair" were $1.50 for four days. If you couldn't afford the full season ticket, a day pass was available for fifty cents. According to the records, the first fair was well attended, making it a success. The Ravalli County Fair remains an annual event today in the 21st century.