The Renville Agricultural Society was organized December 13,1879, with J.D. Sallisbury as president. The first Fair was held in Bird Island in 1880 at the present Fairgrounds and has been held each year since with the exception of 1946 because of the polio epidemic. December 12, 1895, the Bird Island Fair Association was incorporated. For some years one association conducted the Fair and another controlled the grounds, charging rent. On December 10, 1910, the Renville County Agricultural Society was organized and gained control of the Fairgrounds.

    The Fair, in earlier years, was staged in September. In later years the Fair has been in August to avoid the fall rains and chilly evenings.

     Several fine buildings have replaced the original buildings in the last years- a 60'x120' beef and dairy barn; 100'x100' Commercial Exhibit Building; a 36'x120' Exhibit Hall; a 60'x120' 4-H Building; a 40'x60' Historical Building; a covered cement stage which is our Mini-Grandstand; a 48'x78' Judging Arena; and a 36'x80' Commercial Exhibit Building.

    In 1989, the Children's Barnyard, sheep barn and Judging Area were replaced with a 50'x120' building, which is used as our horse barn.  

    In 1994 we added a 100'x200 Horse Arena.     In 1998 a crows nest was built, at the horse arena, for judging and speakers. 

 

    In 1991 the Fair Person of the Year Award was started. This award goes to a person that has dedicated their time, for at least 5 years,  to enhance the development and the future of the Renville County Fair. 

                

    In 1995, a new restroom building with showers was added.

    Also in 1995, the Master Gardeners started landscaping our grounds with the addition of trees, flowers, and shrubs. They have continued to landscape new areas each year. They take care of the flowers all year long so they are in top form at Fair time.

                               1996 photo

    From 1996-2000  more than 100 evergreen trees have been relocated throughout the grounds and several shade trees have been donated and planted. And in 2004, thanks to the help of the Bird Island Lion's, the trees on the west end of the fairgrounds along County Rd 5 were decorated with Christmas lights.

    The year 2000 saw another landmark go down. After the 2000 Fair the grandstands were taken down. In the early days the grandstand seated about 1,600 people, and the present day seating was 2,000.

Portable seating was used in 2001 for our Event Area.

    In 2002 a 1,400 seat grandstands was constructed with the help of local volunteers. This was a summer long project that turned out to be the talk of the fair. The grandstand now hosts the amateur talent contest, along with motor cross, demolition derby, monster trucks, and bull riding.

    Also in 2002, Fireworks returned to the Renville County Fair. Starting after the drawing on Tuesday evening, it has been a great way to kick off the first day. This has been one of the most popular events at the fair.

In 2005 one of the landmarks of the fair was removed. The Log Cabin was taken down. It had been closed to the public the past 3 years for safety reasons. It was one of the most visited buildings on the grounds and will be missed.

In it's place is the construction of a water pond that will be ready for the 2005 fair. The work is being done by Steve Herdina, and Mike Benson, along with Brian Frank and other fair volunteers. This will be a great spot to enjoy your food and listen to the relaxing water falls.

    The Finished Product.