THE FAIR

 

Exhibition Hours
Thursday, April 3rd	Noon - 7 PM
	Open for walking tours
Friday, April 4th	10AM-7PM
Saturday, April 5th	10AM-7PM
Sunday, April 6th	Noon - 7 PM
Thursday April 10th	2PM-7PM
Friday April 11th	3PM-7PM
Saturday April 12th	10AM-7PM

Early Florida Entertainment Schedule
Friday, April 4th	WOODS & BRIDGES	5:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 5th	GENTLE RIVER	10:00 - 11:00 AM
	TIME TRAVELERS	11:00 - 12:00 AM
	GENTLE RIVER	12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
	TIME TRAVELERS	1:00 - 2:00 PM
	BLUE RIVER TRAVELERS	3:00 - 5:00 PM
Friday, April 11th	DEEP CREEK	5:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 12th	SOUTHERN LITE	10:00 - 12:00 AM
	COWLICK	12:00 AM – 2:00 PM
	SOUTHERN LITE	3:00 - 4:00 PM
	COWLICK	4:00 - 5:00 PM

Rediscover Early Florida at the Clay County Agricultural Fairgrounds was the nest egg of Sarah Lynn Boe, who nurtured it into being from humble beginnings in 1991 in a replicated cracker-style house constructed by Clay High School students. She continued with the vision for this village by obtaining other log/wood style homes donated by local family and by the second year it was evident that this educational exhibit of days gone by needed more space. Since that time other exhibits have been added, as the exhibit outgrew its original area on the actual fairgrounds. “Miss Sarah” was successfully involved in lobbying for five acres of a 10-acre tract of land where the exhibit is now located.

Besides the homes of pioneer Clay County families such as the Baxley’s, Mosley, Padgett and Johns the exhibit features a well house that occupied a space on the 10-acre tract. It was moved to the exhibit grounds. A barn, grist mill and other typical structures of the early days in Florida dot the landscape with the promise of more to come, as the vision of preserving the simple lifestyle of days gone by continues through the valiant efforts of the Clay County Fair Board, making this a must-see adventure at the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

In 2004, the latest addition to the exhibit was the garden/farming exhibit. Master Gardeners from the Clay County Extension Office have volunteered items for planting a small garden with vegetables and flowers. Some vegetables are even started from heirloom seeds. Beans, flowers and sugar cane were some examples of what can be found growing in the garden. An information board has many historical items of interest depicting family in Clay County from the early 1900's to todays gardening interests. One may also see an old plow pulled by horses and mules in the 1930’s by Clay County pioneer families. Master Gardeners are on hand to discuss the exhibit or answer any questions you may have during the course of the exhibit hours and dates each year during the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

In 2003 the Clay County Fair Board approved the building of a replica of an early church at the end of the village walkway. With the ringing of the bell from the church tower, visitors are called to enjoy choirs, quartets and stringed instrument groups singing and playing familiar gospel tunes. From the many religious groups represented in Clay County, you will browse through books, photos and other memorabilia dating back as far as 1850.

Known by visitors as “the one-room schoolhouse from Penney Farms, dating back to the 1920’s”. in actuality, the barn-like structure was built in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s to alleviate overcrowding at the original school. The building, which did house 1st and 2nd grades, was attached to the rear of the existing school by a covered wooden walkway. The main three-room school housed nine grades, with three grades to each room. With the activation of Camp Blanding and the advent of the Naval Base in Green Cove Springs, student population in Penney Farms boomed, making the addition of the 1st and 2nd grade structure a necessity. This building was moved to the Fairgrounds from Penney Farms and is charming, as one is transported back in time to earlier days. It is complete with old fashioned desks, old report cards, pictures and students’ papers, making this a lesson in history at the Early Florida exhibit and a “must see” stop at the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

The old jail from Penney Farms is a mystery to most folks with its one cell and missing history. It is known that at least three people were locked up overnight in two separate incidents. Two robbers were caught and occupied one cell overnight and a teenager prankster spent the night there “to teach him a lesson.”

Please take time to visit the Rediscover Early Florida exhibit and sample the foods, fun and labors of years gone by.