The Great Danbury State Fair in Danbury, Connecticut operated for ten days each fall from 1869 - 1981. The "Fair," had everything for everyone! It celebrated agriculture & livestock. Original quaint Villages. Thrilling amusement rides and arcade games and vendors at every turn. Tram rides around 140 plus acre-grounds. The famous "Bigtop" had it all under one enormous tent; fruits, vegetables & homemade pies. Musical acts. Dancing. Farm stands and booth after booth of wonderous things for sale.
The daily parade was like no other, weaving about the Fairgrounds, featuring marching bands, bands on floats, horse drawn carriages, clowns, animals & themed floats! The parade would culminate on the Danbury Racearena track where thousands packed the grandstand to witness the most spectacular and unique acts the country had to offer, like The Joie Chitwood Thrill Show, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, musical acts, agricutlural events... even ostrich races! From its inception, racing was an intergral part of the Fair's history & success, beginning with horse races in 1869.
In its 100 plus year run, the Racearena track would feature racing off all kinds including motorcycles, bicycles, Midget auto racing, Speedboats, and in the latter days, Stock cars and Modified stocks. "Saturday Night at the Races," focuses on when John W. Leahy and Assistant General Manager C. Irving Jarvis Sr. incorporated the Southern New York Auto Association (SNYRA) to the Racearena -- highly competetive racing that packed the stands on Saturday nights throughout the summer and into October's "Fair Week. " The documentary will reminisce with celebrated drivers, car owners, fans, & highlight the Fair's remarkable history.
Some interviews for this production include: Mario Andretti. Don LaJoie. Joie Chitwood III. Randy LaJoie. Andy Montanari. Charles Irving Jarvis Jr. Lou Funk Jr. John Stetson. Bones Stevens. Art Davis. Corey LaJoie. Nick Giardina. Frank Hislop. Johnny Kerslake. Rich Hutwohl. Billy Layda. Ken Brown. Art Knapp. Ernie Marshall. Harry Hansen Jr. Ted Hodgdon. Teddy Hodgdon. Audrey Stevens. Carrinne Shoffner. Francis Burdick. Ron Barrett. Barbara Webb. Betty Giardina. Richard Hutwohl. Billy Michael. Jimmy Smith and more drivers and fans. Plus, audio excerpts from an interview with Chick Stockwell conducted in 1996 in by Charles I. Jarvis Jr.
IN PRODUCTION - Feature Documentary
different makes the difference
DOWN THE PINES
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE RACES
TV show pilot
PRODUCTIONS