History

The Oneida County Fair was first introduced to in August 1896. This was also the year that famed writer, timber cruiser and hometown prankster, Gene Shepard brought his mythical creature,  the Hodag, from timber camp folklore to real life. For the price of one thin dime, the community got a peek at the creature that would soon become infamous - not just to the community but world-wide!

Over the years, the Fair has had several homes. It began in the early 1900's just east of town, which doubled as the first Oneida County Airport. Later the Fair moved to Lake Tomahawk, and then to the Hodag Country Festival grounds.

Today, the Oneida County Fair has a new home among the towering pines of Pioneer Park. The Pioneer Park Historical Complex is also the home to the country's oldest logging museum, a historic railroad depot built in 1892, a Civilian Conservation Corps museum, an early 1900's school house, an outboard motor museum, and a completely restored historical sawmill.