The Volusia County Fair & Youth Show

The first sixteen years of the fair, from 1924-1940, the fair was under the able direction of Earl W. Brown of DeLand, one of the original 27 organizers. Held annually under tents on the old fairgrounds, by the 1930's the Volusia County Fair had become one of the largest county fairs in the southeast. It also boasted the largest poultry show in Florida.

Due to the war effort of 1940-45, the fair could not be held again until 1954. By this time the old fairgrounds had been sold to a private party by the Board of County Commissioners in 1952 and was not available to the fair. However, in 1954, the fair was revived through the efforts of Lee Maxwell. Due to the lack of a suitable site, the fair was allowed to lease the old fairgrounds in 1954 and 1955.

Mr. Maxwell remained the director of the fair until 1960. During that time the fair moved, in 1956-57 to the DeLand Armory and in 1958-59 to the DeLand Airport. In 1960, the airport building was no longer available and a suitable site could not be obtained. Therefore the fair was unable to operate again for the next five years.

In 1965, under the chairmanship of Bill Hester, the Volusia County Fair Association Committee obtained the donation of 20 acres from the First American Development Corporation on which the present Volusia County Fairgrounds are located. Since that time, the Fair Association has funded an additional 68 acres for a total of 88 acres.

Unlike the first fairs held under tents, the present Volusia County Fair has constructed suitable buildings to generously house all the exhibitions. The Old Plantation was constructed in 1971, followed by Horticultural Hall in 1973, Cattle Building in 1981, Swine Barn in 1982 and the Poultry Building in 1983.

David Viers, the present fair manager, succeeded T.R. Townsend, who served from 1980-1990. Betty Dittman, 1969-1980 and Hubert Talton, 1965-1969.

Today, the Volusia County Fair is considered one of the most successful, most educational and most fun for all ages in the state of Florida. The enthusiasm and participation of the early founders has been enthusiastically endorsed by the youth of Volusia County with more than 10,000 of them involved in at least one of the many aspects of the fair.

Completing new and renovating construction October 1, 1998, the improved Volusia County Fairground offers three buildings totaling 64,124 square feet of covered area and 105 acres of property. This full service facility will be able to address all needs for events ranging from banquets and conventions to concerts and ethnic festivals. All areas of the grounds are handicapped accessible and 102 full hook-up RV sites are available. Newly landscaped grounds complete the design features.

New livestock pens and barns are long awaited items which will increase participation in the annual fair and generate more livestock shows throughout the year at the fairground.

The fairground is versatile and efficient. Room sizes, arena sizes and seating capacities may all be customized and indoor floor textures can change from solid concrete to dirt that is ideal for animal shows as well as bike and truck competitions.

T. Wilson Sparks was responsible for the original design of the new fairground, with Bullock and Smith architects completing the project. Aviation Construction, Inc. from Atlanta, Georgia is managing the construction site. Delays in construction were caused by too much rain in the winter and too little rain in the spring resulting in disastrous fires and smoke hampering work crews. Despite these inconveniences the Grand Opening Ceremonies are planned for October 9 & 10 to introduce the new facilities to the public.

Strategically located on State Rd. 44 and Interstate 4 (exit 56) the fairground is only 15 miles from Interstate 95 and Daytona Beach and 32 miles from Orlando. This location draws visitors not only from Volusia County but also from Seminole, Orange, Lake, Brevard, Flagler and Putnam counties. As part of the western gateway into Volusia County, the grounds have become a major gathering place for special events for tourists as well as residents.

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