The Life and Times of the Great Danbury State Fair

This is the only history of the Danbury Fair written by family members of the last owner, who share their intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the Fair itself.

Western Connecticut consists of a rich mixture of culture, history, sport, ingenuity and agriculture and the Danbury Fair drank deeply from its roots. While it started as a place for farmers and horsemen to share their respective arts, it grew to become so much more.
The unique influence of John W. Leahy, the last owner and general manager of the Fair, saw the addition of extraordinary displays, stunning performances, musicals, thrill shows, rides and races, while still remaining true to its agricultural heritage.
Leahy’s veneration for P.T. Barnum and his desire to keep up with the changing times led him to enthusiastically try new things, some successfully and others not quite so.
You will be captivated by his story and that of the Fair, shared here in both words and pictures by those who knew him best.