10/16/2026
Fall is the season in Massachusetts for local fairs. They are survivors from the early 19th century and no longer events devoted solely to agriculture. The Worcester Cattle Show, brought about by the Worcester Agricultural Society, opened in October 1819 and continued until 1931. This first exhibition was held on Worcester Common. The response was enthusiastic. The “Spy” devoted a full quarter of its issue with descriptions of the fair and stated, “A spirit of improvement has gone abroad, and is crowning every hill-top and cheering every valley with its magic influences."
There were stands where fair goers could buy refreshments. There were exhibits of vegetables, including a winter squash of 126 pounds and “a monstrous pumpkin.” Cloth manufacturing was the subject of one exhibit as well as displays of inventions such as a turnip slicer. There was a demonstration of ox pulling, using 15 yoke of the animals. During the day there were banquets as well as the exhibits and in the evening, there was a formal dress ball. According to one source, the attendees, “danced quadrilles, Spanish and old-fashioned country dances, the figures being called for us, and there was some waltzing, but not too much.”
The Cattle Show eventually became the “New England Fair,” last held in 1931.
