The modern Chunnenuggee Fair was started as a way to raise monies to purchase State of Alabama historical markers. The name of the Chunnenuggee Fair was selected as a nod to pre-Civil War horticultural fairs that were held by the Chunnenuggee Horticultural Society in the Chunnenuggee Ridge area, about five miles from downtown Union Springs.
"Chunnenuggee" is derived from an Indian word meaning "long, high ridge" or "high bluff". Prominent members of the Chunnenuggee community built their homes on the top of the ridge and held May fairs that showcased the latest innovations in horticulture, and included lavish floral arrangements, hand crafted quilts, and ornately decorated cakes. Also, Chunnenuggee Ridge is the location of the first registered public garden club in the United States, the Chunnenuggee Public Garden Club.
The first modern Chunnenuggee Fair was held on May 10, 1980, in Pugh Athletic Field, which no longer exists, but is part of the grounds of the present Union Springs Elementary School. The contemporary fairs adopted the best features of earlier fairs, including a "made from scratch" cake sale and plant displays from area plant farms. A juried arts and crafts category was added along with live entertainment from local and regional vocalists and bands.
This year we celebrate our thirtieth anniversary and we are committed to the idea of continuing to make each Chunnenuggee Fair better than the one before, and that is a tall order!
