The summer storm that blew into town on August 6 looked like it just might cancel the Putnam County Fair.
It was grandson Oliver’s eighth birthday. As has been tradition for the past several years, he and his family were visiting from Denver. We were going to celebrate at the fair, with this year being extra special. Not only was it the fair’s 100th birthday and the last time it would be held at the dear old fairgrounds on South Jefferson Avenue, but Oliver was now tall enough for the “big kid” rides.
Alas, torrential rains swept through Cookeville late that afternoon. Main roads and side roads and entire neighborhoods were flooded. The fairgrounds were smack dab in the middle of all the mess. At 5:00, we learned that the midway wouldn’t open that evening. There would be no music. No lights. No carnival games or cotton candy. Worst of all—obviously!–no rides. Other parts of the fair would shoulder on. Despite the mud, the horse show would happen. Exhibit halls were open, as were local food providers. Best of all, Grandma’s Barnyard was up and running.
So off we went to the fairgrounds.
We parked knee-deep in muck and made our way to the hall under the south grandstand, where we enjoyed free popcorn while admiring crafts and artwork and photographs and gorgeous agricultural products, including the roundest, most perfect pumpkin I’ve ever seen.
Then it was on to Grandma’s Barnyard, which, as usual, did not disappoint. The kids spent an entire half-hour shelling and grinding corn. We petted and fed not only baby farm animals but also a camel and a kangaroo, while hoping against hope that the carnival might open after all. But no. Some reports said floods had washed the concrete supports out from under the rides. Others said water had compromised the electrical system.
Whatever the cause, there would be no carnival that night.
The kids were, of course, bereft. But their mother, trying to make the best of a sad situation, asked if we could stop in at the country store for fried pies on our way back to the parking lot. Yes, I said. Yes we could. The minute we walked through the front door, Meg let out a contented sigh. “I feel like we’ve stepped back in time,” she said. “This is a world my children don’t see in suburban Colorado.”.
She was right. Not only were there fried pies in every variety imaginable and numerous other baked goods for sale, there were jellies and jams and pickles and honey. Cast iron skillets and Tupperware. Candles. Used books. Needlepoint items. Knitted and crocheted items. Jewelry. Hand-decorated shirts and jeans. Homemade toys. And lots and lots of other stuff.
Did you know that the country store has been an integral part of the Putnam County Fair for more than half a century? But Tammy Guess, who—along with Charity Uker—has run the store since the Family and Community Education (FCE) Club gave it up several years ago, worries the beloved tradition may be coming to an end.
“We have a designated spot at the new fairgrounds,” she told me, “but there’s no county money to put toward a new building.” Though most of the fixtures can be moved from the present location and volunteers have offered their time and skills to construct a new store, the cost for materials for a 30 x 30 building will likely be at least $20,000. Tammy doesn’t know where the funds will come from.
“It breaks my heart to think this could be our last chapter,” she said. “So I’ve opened a Go Fun Me account to try to build the store.” Anyone who wishes to donate can call (931) 979-0577 and leave Tammy a message. Here’s hoping that lots and lots of people will call and give generously.
Because the fair just won’t be the fair without the country store.
(August 22, 2026)