Atypical local community would probably be happy if they had one carnival to enjoy during the summer.
Cooperstown did one better in the summer of 1941.
According to the Otsego Farmer of July 11, 1941, “Plans are rapidly taking shape and details are being arranged for the mammoth Carnival to be held Saturday, July 26th at Fernleigh, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Clark for the benefit of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home.
“No admission fee is to be charged but there will be many and devious ways for those who attend to spend their money with much enjoyment to themselves and for one of the best of causes.
“A real old-fashioned merry-go-round, just like the ones at the old county fair will take you back to your childhood. You will have the opportunity to guess the weight of a calf and if you are the winner, you will have an opportunity to lead the calf home.
“A real live baby show will interest mothers and the prides and joys of the community are to be judged with the advice of Dr. Marjorie F. Murray of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. There will be prizes for the prettiest baby, the baby with the bluest eyes, the baby with the darkest eyes and the jolliest baby.
“There will be dancing with good music for those who so desire, bowling on the lawn, just like the days of Rip Van Winkle, a fish pond, grab bag, fortune telling, a theater with a play put on by an excellent cast and feats of legerdemain.
“The committee realizes that those who come will not want to miss a single minute of the fun by leaving for supper or dinner, whichever you call the evening meal, so sandwiches, donuts, coffee, ice cream and popcorn will be on sale to keep the pangs of hunger away and still allow everyone to see all of the events.
“While it’s all fun, there is a serious purpose behind the Carnival itself and that is to raise funds for a very deserving enterprise.”
The event was not a disappointment, as the Farmer of Aug. 1 told readers, “Every circumstance favored the annual carnival for the benefit of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home.
“With skies bright and clear and the gardens of Fernleigh and rolling shaded lawns of Fernleigh Over at the height of their summer beauty, a throng estimated at over 5,000 assembled to give their support to the Home which is situated in Cooperstown but serves, however, a most important county-wide function. Treasurer Clyde S. Becker this morning reported that gross receipts were $2,709.01.” An inflation calculator shows that this is about $61,500 in 2026 dollars.
There was another carnival that summer. The Farmer of July 25 reported that over 2,500 people attended the annual Firemen’s Carnival, a two day event, and, “The local department announced that a good sum would be added to the treasury for benevolent and social activities.
“After the baseball game held on Doubleday Field on Saturday afternoon in which St. Johnsville defeated the Cooperstown Fire Department team by a score of 3 to 2, a luncheon was served to the visiting firemen and members of the bands at the Village Hall.
“A parade of over 750 firemen and three bands marched through the village streets and to the entrance to Doubleday Field where the carnival was held.
“Bands from the Cherry Valley and Salisbury Center Central schools and the Cooperstown Community band provided music for the parade. Fire departments were present from Cherry Valley, Richfield Springs, Salisbury Center, Canajoharie, Herkimer, Frankfort, St. Johnsville, Schenevus, Delhi, Walton and Cooperstown. The Scarsdale Fire department was represented by Charles Hovey, formerly of Cooperstown now of that city who is spending several days at camp on Otsego Lake.
“Twenty concessions on the midway, a kiddie airplane ride and a Ferris wheel gave entertainment to the throngs who attended.”
On Tuesday, our local life and times in September 1976.