Established in 1922, the Champlain Valley Exposition held its first four-day fair at the Essex Junction, Vermont, fairgrounds in 1923. In its early years, the grounds included a racetrack, grandstand capable of holding 4,000 people, racing stables, horse and cattle barns, and commercial and industrial exhibits buildings. A century later, the exposition’s signature Champlain Valley Fair has grown to become the largest annual event in Vermont—aptly described as the “Ten Best Days of Summer.” Its agricultural and commercial exhibits and vibrant midway complement the grandstand concert series, which features some of the biggest names in entertainment. Modern indoor facilities now make the exposition not only the destination to celebrate Vermont’s agricultural heritage but also one of the state’s largest year-round venues for concerts, special interest events, trade shows, indoor soccer, and community gatherings.
Stephen Mease is a former newspaper editor and writer whose articles and photographs have been published widely in national, regional, and local media. He works as a publicist and event photographer and lives in Williston, Vermont. As the Champlain Valley Exposition’s first communications director from 2004 to 2008, he developed a keen interest in the history of fairs and theme parks. Each year, he continues to return to the Champlain Valley Fair to photograph people, entertainers, agriculture exhibits, and the midway. In 2021, he updated and redesigned the exposition’s history exhibit for its 100th anniversary celebration.