The present 4-H Fair is the result of many years of growth and development of the 4-H Club work in Branch County.  Over 90 years ago, the old fair was dissolved and the buildings and grounds at the north Coldwater city limits were sold.  Since that time there have been agricultural exhibits of various kinds throughout Branch County.   Years ago there were Corn Schools at various Grange Halls.  The 4-H Clubs and other interested farm organizations for several years had a fair at the Unity Grange Hall in Bethel Township.  For several years exhibits were held on the streets of Coldwater and in the Coldwater Armory.  In 1929 there was no fair or exhibits of any kind.   In 1930 a small 4-H Club Fair was held at the Coldwater Grange Hall.  32 head of livestock were exhibited as well as the work of 30 canning club members.  In 1931, there was more livestock to be exhibited and the fair was held at the Coldwater State Home and Training School in various barns and garages.  In 1932, the 4-H Clubs cooperated with the Coldwater Chamber of Commerce and held their exhibits in a garage on Hudson Street.  In 1933 and 1934, the exhibits of livestock were made in tents on the parking lot of West Pearl Street.  Canning, handicraft and clothing were shown in churches and store windows.  In 1935, the tents were located on the new parking lot on North Hanchett Street and the same arrangement prevailed with other exhibits.  The Junior Chamber of Commerce in Coldwater took a very active interest in the fair during those years.  In 1936, the 4-H Fair was held in connection with the Centennial Celebration.  Four large tents were necessary to house the livestock and this was done at the Waterworks Park. Other exhibits were again scattered through the business sections of Coldwater.  The Centennial Celebration featured a mammoth pageant and numerous parades.

At the fair in 1936, the idea was brought forth that perhaps it would be possible to purchase a small acreage of land and build a few buildings in which to show the livestock in the future.  The board of directors of the Branch County Agricultural and Industrial Society, which was organized in 1936, and the 1937 board, followed this suggestion and began negotiations for the establishment of a more permanent home for these exhibits in the future.  Land was purchased of Mrs. Ethel Wolf and Mrs. Amanda Zimmerman.  There was an area of about nine acres in the tract. An additional acre of land was also purchased from Stanley Wedge.  This land is located south of the Waterworks Park along the banks of the Coldwater River.  Five new buildings were built in 1937.  In 1938 two new buildings and an additional 5 acres of ground were purchased.  Again in 1945 they added 5 acres and 6 were added in 1946 when a new horse barn was also built.  In 1948 another 10 acres of land were purchased from Stanley Wedge and a new building we put up to replace one lost to a fire in 1947.  In 1951 the 4-H Cabin was built on the east end of the Fairgrounds near the Sprague Street entrance.  In 1955 an exhibit building was erected.  In 1960 a pole livestock building was put up and in 1962 a pole-type home economics building was erected.   Also in 1962, the parking facilities were increased and the amphitheater cleared and enlarged.  And so the growth continued each year with new buildings and more acres until it reached the current size today of 70 acres.  The newest building on the grounds is the Dearth Community Center which is a beautiful and much used facility.

The Branch County Agricultural and Industrial Society is still in charge of the fairgrounds and all the facilities as well as organizing the annual 4-H Fair.