Harrington News

HARRINGTON – Although the rains Saturday were not appreciated for indoor/outdoor sales events, it is recognized how sorely rains were needed and continue to be needed for everything else, especially farmers' fields. Studio 1 will regroup and continue its sale for the next week or two in the Studio 1 front Annex, as well as offering some items for sale on Craigslist. Studio 1 features products from many local artists including Leather Jewelry by Cindy Lee and Cherishables by Cherie.

HOHS rummage sale

The rummage sale of the Harrington Opera House Society went well despite the intermittent rain, with several commenting that they came from the "west side." Customers appeared well before 9 a.m. with a continuous line of onlookers until after the closing hour. Donations for the day totaled $435 with an additional $247 from pre-event donations. Within 24 hours after the doors closed, additional donations were brought in to add to the wares being gathered for upcoming sales.

Fair proved a success

Any excitement related to upcoming events in the olden days were generally associated with the name Horace Haynes, signifying that he was a dominant factor in keeping Harrington a viable place to be considered for home, business or even the seat of county business.

He was born in 1854 in Michigan and traveled to California in 1874. Horace Haynes filed for a Harrington homestead in March and July of 1884 and received patent on it in 1891 and another filed in 1888 with patent received that same year. Although he began in Harrington as a farmer, he later became a successful merchant. He was one of the earliest county commissioners in 1884. He married Emma Wilkinson in 1878, and they had six sons, several of whom became prominent businessmen in Harrington.

In the news of September 1899, a "county fair" was being organized with committees for: Woman's Exhibit and Decoration (Mrs. Horace Haynes of Harrington a member), Finance, Music and Entertainment, Transportation, Races, Advertising, Exhibits and Judges and Awards.

"County Fair Notes. Interest in the county fair is increasing, and the indications are that the initial effort will exceed all early promises. A building 60 x 100 ft. is being erected at the racecourse for fair purposes. Besides the races, base ball games, Edison's Waragraph, etc., the musical concerts will be a pleasant feature. The Sprague and Davenport bands will both be in attendance. Advices show that the displays will be extensive, and some districts are already sending in their exhibits. The programs will be issued in a few days, giving the list of prizes and other information." (Citizen: 10-06-1899)

Those working with current organizations can well understand the effort that it would take in that year to bring an event such as a fair to fruition. "The County Fair. The Lincoln county fair will be under full swing before another issue of this paper. The important event will begin on the 19th, next Wednesday, and continue four days. The undertaking has been carried forward under great difficulties, but the management has met with such hearty encouragement that it feels assured of a highly successful exhibition. Quite a number of exhibits have already been received and more are to follow, the whole making a very creditable display. There will be horse races, foot races, bicycle races, a baby show, war pictures, vocal and instrumental concerts and a number of other features to attract and amuse the crowd. Let everybody turn out and help make this first county fair a big success." (Citizen: 10-13-1899)

As is often the case with October weather, they had what was described as "extremely bad weather" in 1899. For their Saturday crowd it was estimated that about 2500 people were in attendance.

Fast forwarding to the 2021 era, the Harrington Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter has announced a new community event, the Harrington Vintage Country Fair. The date has been set for June 26, 2021 with the time confirmed for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The newsletter also gave an update on the 9th Annual Harrington Car Show on May 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a catered lunch, vendors, live music, raffles, a swap meet and more. If applicable, Covid restrictions will be posted at facebook.com/Harringtoncarshow.