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Skills And Crafts

Floral Hall Hopes To Return To Glory At Fair

Floral Hall at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds has been a staple of the community for more than a century, as members of the community have proudly displayed various skills and crafts for more than 150 years.

But recently, as the changing of the times paired with habits that were altered because of the pandemic, Floral Hall has struggled to return to its glory.

"I'd like to see our entrants increase," said Floral Hall Superintendent Beckie Ross. "We're hoping to bring people back with some of the things we've added."

The history of Floral Hall dates back to the mid 1800s when a fair committee purchased land that was known at the time as Central Park, which became what is now the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds. The committee made plans for Floral Hall to be used for community events and as a theater.

True to its name, Floral Hall was also known to feature floral displays, but it became known for so much more. Social events were held at Floral Hall for many years, including competitions where judges selected winners from all sorts of categories. From penmanship to hand sewing -- which later became machine sewing in 1914 -- Floral Hall was the place to be to showcase what were referred to as the "domestic arts." In the past, competitions were open to anyone, but Floral Hall now restricts entrants to strictly amateurs.

Dating back to its inception, the fair was a September tradition to align with harvest season. However, in 1959, the fair moved to late summer to allow participants who were heralded at competitions an opportunity to enter statewide fair competitions, as well.

Floral Hall's competitions evolved over the years to change with the times. In addition to the change from hand sewing to machine sewing, categories changed names or were eliminated entirely. In the early 1900s, what was once known as the "Old Ladies' Work" category was then changed to "Work by Women Over 70" in 1942. The category is no longer in existence, as now only Adult and Junior categories remain for contestants to enter. Competitions between schools were also once broken up between schools with only one teacher, and schools with two or more teachers.

As the times changed, Floral Hall still remained open for events and competitions for the majority of the last century and a half, with only three major events standing in its way.

The first major event to impact Floral Hall took place in the winter of 1931, when heavy snowfall caused the roof to collapse. The building needed to be completely rebuilt -- and it was reconstructed into what is still standing today nearly 100 years later.

Next, just over a decade after the new Floral Hall building was constructed, the fairgrounds were out of commission for a major historical event: World War II. During the war, the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds became a site for prisoners of war to be stationed. The prisoners were held at the fairgrounds and utilized as farm laborers, with many of the farmers in the area off to fight in the war. Floral Hall and the fairgrounds reopened to the public after the conclusion of the war.

Then, for 75 years, the festivities were uninterrupted until the COVID-19 pandemic forced another hiatus. Unlike with the other two stoppages, however, Floral Hall is now struggling to bounce back as a community fixture.

"Our entries have gone down over the years, but then with two years off, people got out of a habit," Ross said.

In hopes of attracting more entrants, one of the newest categories for judging this year is a cupcake baking competition. Other categories include beer and wine making, collectibles, and photography. In total, 26 categories accept submissions at the current iteration of Floral Hall's competition.

"We've added things in there to accommodate what people are doing now," Ross said.

Entrants are encouraged to mail or email completed entry forms to cofair@netsync.net prior to the week of the fair. A worker at the Entry Clerk's office will be available beginning on Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 to answer questions and to make entry tags. All items for submission must be brought by the Saturday prior to the fair's commencement, July 15. The fair will be open from Tuesday, July 18 through Sunday, July 23.

For more information, including a list of all 26 categories to enter, view the Floral Hall Handbook online at chautauquacofair.org/floral-hall