06/18/2026
Last week, we looked at the 1926 Clinton Harvest Festival. This week, jump ahead 20 years in local history with a look back at the 1946 Clinton Fall Festival and Future Farmers Fair—the first one held after the conclusion of World War II.
This four-day celebration (September 18–21) marked the community’s entry into what Mayor Auber Hansen called the "new atomic age," a period of renewed peace and progress
Here are the highlights from this historic post-war gathering:
High-Stakes Prizes: While produce and livestock won smaller cash premiums, the "Jumbo Prizes" awarded Saturday night were the ultimate symbols of 1940s modern luxury: an automatic washer and a Kelvinator refrigerator
The "Topper" Story Contest: Residents competed for prizes by writing essays on "Why I Like to Trade in Clinton," which were judged anonymously by local literary experts to ensure fairness
A Poultry Epidemic: In a surprising twist, the official program noted there was no poultry show that year due to a widespread poultry epidemic
Racing for Glory: Friday afternoon featured a high-energy Soap Box Derby, with cash prizes donated by local resident Chris Braukhoff
Educational Debates: Even the festival booklet featured deep dives into local culture, including an article by the Superintendent of Schools advocating for a return to "phonics and drill" in the classroom after experimental methods had failed a generation of readers
From hog calling and dairy cattle judging to a massive street parade, the festival was designed to prove that Clinton was truly the "garden spot of America"
It served as a powerful "Thank You" to the returning Legionnaires and ex-servicemen for their efforts in keeping the country free
