New Windsor Fair and Rodeo
- About
The New Windsor Fair and Rodeo will be held on Thursday, August 15th – Saturday, August 17th, 2019 in New Windsor, Illinois. This New Windsor rodeo is held at New Windsor Fairgrounds Rodeo Park and hosted by Hampton Rodeo Company.
- History
- Over the years of changing Association officers and directors, many of the early official records of the New Windsor Fair, Rodeo, and Horse Show Association have been lost. But some old fair books and newspaper clippings give us a glimpse of the history of the event. Sometime in 1934, a group of New Windsor residents decided to hold an event that would serve as a gathering for current and former New Windsor residents. This “Homecoming and Horse Show” was held in mid-August in 1935, and featured the horse shows, carnival, agriculture and home economics exhibits that were common at country fairs of the day. The first event was a success and was held again in 1936. After two successful events, the men responsible for organizing the event determined it was time to become an “official” organization. On August 6, 1937, The New Windsor Homecoming and Horse Show was chartered as a not-for-profit corporation, who’s purpose was “Promoting the improvement of Live Stock and Agriculture Products and stimulating good will in the community by holding an annual exhibition and entertainment”. In 1939 the name of the organization was changed to “The New Windsor Fair and Horse Show Association” and the name of the event changed to “The New Windsor Fair and Horse Show”. The top rodeo specialty acts in the country appeared at the New Windsor Rodeo during the 1990’s. The One Armed Bandit, The Gatney Family Trick Riders, Bob Johnson’s Overland Stage Coach, and the Thornton Family have all appeared in the arena, some on multiple occasions. And local musical talents Missy Vail, Eileen Randall, and Dave Schatteman have performed prior to the rodeo.
- Places to Stay