The early days at Terry Park
The first Lee County Fair was held at Terry Park in February, following a county allocation to organize the event.
OUR HISTORY
Deep roots.
Generations of memories.
A look back at the annual fair and the generations who made it part of Southwest Florida’s story.
MAKING MEMORIES SINCE1924SOUTHWEST FLORIDA & LEE COUNTY FAIR
A hometown tradition,
with a story to tell.
Our familiar “Making Memories Since 1924” motto marks the year the Lee County Fair became the Southwest Florida Fair. The roots reach further back: the first Lee County Fair took place at Terry Park in February 1919.
Today, the association hosts the Fall Classic Livestock Show & Exposition. These history pages celebrate the annual fair's past.
A FEW MILESTONES ALONG THE WAY
A name for the region
The Lee County Fair became the Southwest Florida Fair—the year celebrated in the fair's long-standing motto.
A new home in North Fort Myers
After its final Terry Park fair in 1978, the fair moved to the new Lee County Civic Center in 1979.
Today: the Fall Classic
The Fall Classic Livestock Show & Exposition brings the community together on November 6–7.
Explore this year's event →Historical sources: Lee County's Terry Park centennial history (PDF) and the county venue history.
THE STORY DOESN'T END HERE
More history. More faces.
More memories to share.
Future additions will bring together the fair's photographs, programs, and stories from across the years.
Explore Fair Memories