| In 1902, Wm. Waggoner deeded to the Viola Fair Association, a piece of land one and one-half miles east of the village on Highway 56, formerly owned by John Sellars, Wm. Thompson and Eph Bender. The association improved the spot with a grandstand, race track, stands, buildings and watering places, and in due time the acreage was an up-to- date fair’ grounds. For twenty-four years the Viola business men and progressive citizens maintained and operated a fair each year in October that was a credit to the community. The first secretary was Wm. Thompson, a promoter of harness racing. He owned a string of trotters and the fair was known to have some of the best races in Wisconsin. The second secretary, Andy McCarty, was interested in the honey, agriculture, fruit, dairy products and domestic departments. John Frazier, the third secretary, believed in advertising in newspapers and with posters and bills, and with a team, he traveled the length of the Kickapoo Valley advertising the big fair. Warren Griffin, the fourth secretary, had interests in finances. He wanted the fair to make money. He hired a band, the program of racing continued and expenses were less. Yet, the fair did not pay off the mortgage owned by the Beaver Finance Co. Walter Van Winter was the fifth and last secretary. The State Aid was abolished and the Village was unable to support the fair. Small premiums were paid, the races continued, and the last fair was a success, but with all odds against the officers, it was decided to sell the grounds to the Village for a park. On October 21, 1926, the president of the association, Oscar Wheeler, and the secretary, Walter Van Winter, with Ed Lepley and Amos Schroeder as witnesses, turned the deed over to the Village. The property has been named the Viola Fair Grounds Park. The property is for the convenience of the public. Hundreds enjoy picnics, ball games, camping, trailer parking, family reunions and private parties throughout the summer months, with no charge for any of the conveniences furnished by the Village. From "100 Years
of Progress" by Mrs. Fred G. Matthes p.69
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