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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Wilton family looks back at early 1900's Alta Mesa Fair
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Photo courtesy to River Valley Times
Wilton residents (from left) Marion Miller, Vicky Lynn Aus and Mary Morgan enjoy looking at a scrapbook of the Alta Mesa Fair that dates back to 1918. Miller is the stepson of Herman Sturmer, Sr., founder of the fair, and Aus is Sturmer’s granddaughter.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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The year may be 2008, but several families in Wilton still remember the old-time Alta Mesa Fair, an important annual event held during Wilton’s earlier years.
It is believed the first Alta Mesa Fair, organized by Wilton resident Herman Sturmer, Sr., was held in Wilton in 1918. The location was a community hall at the corner of Blake and Alta Mesa roads, and local residents built the hall in 1913. Called Blake’s Hall in the beginning, it served as a meeting place for the community as well as housing the Farm Bureau.
Vicky Lynn Aus, granddaughter of Sturmer, remembers well attending the fair and serving as Alta Mesa Fair Queen in 1972. “I can remember early in the morning sliding along the freshly waxed floors while all the women worked to set up the fair,” she said. “There were tables set out for eating as well as displaying baked and canned goods and fresh produce.” Local residents were judged on their jams and baked desserts. “Everyone hid their recipes very well,” Aus said. “Everyone had their own secret spice.”
After the opening ceremony with the flag raising and crowning of the Alta Mesa Fair Queen, families enjoyed a day of old-fashioned games such as egg races, beanbag toss, climbing a greased pole to get to the money at the top or a cake walk.
There were animal exhibits by members of 4-H, and a hearty fried chicken lunch at noon was served. “Each farmer would butcher their own chickens,” Aus said. “And the women would fry them up.”
Everyone would return in the evening for a night of entertainment. On a stage outside, residents might watch a melodrama acted by members of the community or listen to a soapbox band with homemade instruments. “Everything was homemade and home done,” Aus said. "Poetry readings and pretty legs competitions were part of the venue. One year the Mather Air Force Band came to the fair and played."
As the fair grew it garnered a lot of attention as residents from the surrounding towns began attending this community country fair. Dignitaries such as judges, the local sheriff, Farm Bureau representatives and even John Garamendi, who now serves as California’s Lieutenant Governor, attended the fair over the years to crown the queen. The queen was often the contestant who sold the most tickets for a drawing held at the fair.
The fair that was started to give Wilton residents living far apart a chance to get together for a celebration became a well-attended fair until the early 1980s when interest began to wane as Wilton transitioned from a farming and ranching community.
For Wilton residents who never had the chance to attend the Alta Mesa Fair, the Centennial celebration on Sept. 27, which is modeled after the old fair, will give them a taste of a country celebration.
Egg races, a fishing booth, beanbag toss and 4-H exhibits with petting zoo will bring back the flavor of this well-remembered event. Children’s games, a tractor display, Sheriff’s canine unit, bomb squad, children’s ID booth, e-waste and recycling trucks are just some of the events that have been added as part of the celebration.
The Centennial is being held in conjunction with the Wilton Firefighters’ Association Chili Cook-off, Classic Car Show, Wilton Parade and the Wilton History Group’s History Day celebration on. Parking will be available behind WFD Station 81 and across the street from Dillard Elementary School.
“So come to the Fair and explore the celebration of Wilton and enjoy the history of Wilton, personal interviews, photographs and memorabilia of the past,” said Mary Morgan, chair of the Wilton-Cosumnes Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. “Enjoy the best chili in the world, see the Classic Car Show and the exhibits of the 4-H.”
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