The Ascension Parish Negro Fair Association, Inc. was established on September 22, 1950, by concerned citizens in the Prairieville area to assist and encourage the advancement of farming, livestock and poultry raising, literacy, athletics, domestic achievements, and the general promotion of prosperity and progress in Ascension Parish and surrounding communities. On March 7, 1956, Tom W. Dutton donated 3.76 acres to support the educational, recreational, and civic work of the association and to establish a site for the fairgrounds. Before 1956, the fair was held at Prairieville High School under the supervision of Assistant County Agent L.C. Christy and Fair Association President Dennis Dorville, where farmers from throughout the parish displayed agricultural produce raised locally, and the fair included group discussions, canning demonstrations, livestock judging, judging of poultry and eggs, and judging of the best breeds of hogs and cows. On November 23, 1966, the name was changed to the Ascension Fair Association, Inc. The original officers were Dennis Dorville, president; John Cornish, first vice-president; James Roberson, second vice-president; William Tillotson, secretary; and Leo Christy, treasurer.