In 1856, the land located at the west end of town was purchased to hold fairs and other events. Several years would pass before it would generate interest through sports, amusements, fairs and horse racing. The horse race track was said to be one of the finest in Western Pennsylvania. In 1910, there was an Old Soldier’s Reunion held for the veterans, wives and widows of the Civil War. In 1922, an estimated attendance for one-day during the fair was 25,000 people. By 1929, some of the attractions were aerialists, plane rides, races, and agricultural exhibits but over time as people’s interests changed, the fairgrounds were abandoned and in the 1960’s the property was purchased by the state to be used as the new college football field. You can catch Clarion University’s Golden Eagles and Clarion High School’s Bobcats using Memorial Stadium for a variety of activities. In addition to sporting events, the stadium is used for community activities such as Special Olympics, Patriot Day and I Love Clarion Fourth of July Fireworks.
