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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-08-08, Page 25, :•• PA4ZIOA-40EfitaSiGNAILATAR, *MEP", 8,1984 Dungan: In Jan0ary• of 1058, the- Wawanosh and Aahfield Branch of the Agricultural Seciety was formed with president, David McIll- wain -.secretary, John Mallough, treasarer, Robert Clendlenning and vice-president, Williaan Treleaven, Directors were William Harris, James Somerville, 'John Savage, William Durnin, Charles' Girvin, Robert DaXillson, Henry Holland, Janis McNight and Berard McCabe. On October 8, 1858, the Dungannon area experienced their first fair. It was held on the farm of William Mallougli with races be- ing held on the road and small exhibits being housed in a drill hall. This year Dungannon will be celebrating its 125th fair. The book, "From Bush Trails to Present Tales", compiled .by the Dungannon Women's Institute in 1980, reports: "In a chapter, of 'Gavin Green's book entitl* 'Fights, Concerts, Etc. Recalled at the Dungannon Fair in Bygone Years' is given: The first fall fair I ever attended was at Dungannon. It was in the old drill shed in , either 1874 or 1875. There was a kind of race course at the village end of Billy`Mallough's farm south of the drill shed. I remember coming over to the fair froth Sheppardton. I remember a walking match at the fair ... At night there was a concert ... Uncle Tom's Cabin ... Taking part in the concert, too, was big Joe Williamson who wrote the poem Dungannon's Lovely Girls'. I recall seeing soldiers with redcoats on at the Dungannon fair." The Institute's book also reports: "In 1891, fourteen and one-tenth acres was pur- chased from William Mallough by the Dungannon Agricultural and Driving Park ASsociation, and a half -mile track, a grands- tand and a two storey hall were built. The Agricultural Society rented these grounds for $65 for two days of the Fair. In 1942, the Agricultural Society purchased the grounds from the Driving Park Association. As ,the hall had been sold to a private owner, the . Society purchased a building ,from Port Albert Air Force in 1948 at a cost of $400 and moved., it to the grounds. A new judges' stand was built in 1955. The Centennial was marked in 1958 with new entrance gates and a new barn. Children from 17 classrooms paraded. As at most early fairs, grounds were enclosed with a high board fence; none remains today." ' • The Dungannon fair continued as an an- nual event, a time to visit with friends and neighbours, to display produce and home crafts, to relax and enjoy some fun. However, little by little the fair became less self-sufficient. The active interest had slowly dissipated and it was difficult to recruit new people who would make time for the work necessary to put together a fair. In 1975, the Dungannon fair just never happen- ed. Then, an energetic group decided they would not let a patt of history just die. A new board of directors was elected and plans were started to raise funds and bring the fair from the burial grounds and give it new life. Dances were held for V,plentine's Day, Spring, Halloween and New Years, as well as continuing with the fair dance. However, during the last couple of years, all groups are experiencing a lower attendance at fund raising dances. The poor economy, the in- creasing number of community centres and the popularity of "stag and doe" parties may all be partly to blame. However, despite the -cause, .the Dungannon Agricultural Society consequently has now limited their regular dances to Hallowe'en and New Year's. In 1977, the Dungannon Agricultural Society sponsored a Slow -Pitch Ball Tourna- ment to help raise funds for the fair. Since there were very few tournaments of this kind in the area at the time, the weekend was a huge success, sportswise, fun -wise and money -wise. Slowpitch tournaments are becoming very popular now but the Dungannon Agricultural Society is pleased to report the 8th annual tournament held June 29 and 30 and July 1 was very well at- tended. In 1981 the fair date was moved from a week day at the end of September to the third weekend in August for two important reasons. Firstly bad weather often plagued the September dates. Secondly, it was agreed that a weekend might produce better attendance than the former week days. However, during September and October. other area fairs were regularly held. So as nat to interfere with other communities, the Augiist date was accepted. In 1982, the Dungannon Agricultural Society produced another corrdnunity event in the form of a barbecue, variety concert and crowning of Miss Dungannon Fair, Carol Ann Smyth. From these beginnings grew the Family Fun Day which will be held this year.on Sun- day, August 12. It promises to be a day chucked full of entertainment. At 1 p.m. a Horse Pull will commence. Horses must be registered and weighed at Hodges' elevators by 12 noon. Immediately following is an antique trac- tor pull for tractors built prior to 1958. These tractors must be on rubber wheels and be original or stock with no loose weights. All pulls must be hooked to the original draw bar at an 18 feet maximum height. The five classes for the antique tractors will be 4,500 pounds class, 5,500 pounds, 6,500 pounds, 8,000 pounds and an open trophy class. From 4:30 to 7 p.m. a pork barbecue will be held .1 At 7:30 p.m. ap outdoor variety concert will commence dn the fair grounds. Folks are reminded to bring lawnchairs, sit back and enjoy. The highlight of the evening will be when the 1983 fair queen, Lisa Brown, will crown the new Miss Dungannon Fair at 9 p.m. This lucky girl will be chosen from a group of contestants earlier in the afternoon in the Agricultural Hall. The winner has the honour of representing Dungannon in the Miss Mid -Western Ontario contest and in the Miss C.N.E. pageant in Toronto. This year, a Junior Fair Princess will also be crowned. Parents from Ashfield, Col- borne and West Wawanosh may enter names of girls aged seven to 11 at stores in Dungannon, prior to August 12 or at the fair grounds early during the day. The winning girl's name will be drawn at random in the hall at approximately 2 : 30 p.m. and she will receive her crown and gifts along with the On Fridarevenina and Saturday, August '4,4'.4•••41""*44a • 4, • • ,r,r,r• • s on tradition with 128th fair st 17 17 and 18, 'the Dungannon Agricultural Society will ba proud to present the 125th Dungannon Fnlr, Currently the; president is Bob McNeil; other officers are first vice-president - Carol Nivins; second vice-president - Jack Pentland; secretary - Carol Anne Menary; and treasurer - Lynda McNee; other direc- tors are: Jack Caesar, ' ldon Culbert, John Fielder, Bernice Glenn Bonnie Hodges, Th g ou e a r, e vs o baking, sewing, quilts; knitting, crocheting, ceramics, flowers, p.udrocessed foods, school work, photographs, junior and elementary hpmemaking, vegetables and fruit may be viewed in the hall. Field crops will be shown in the barn. A flea market and commercial grant 8911 4,51)4 Robert Wright displays wagger a wide variety ofgoods A special historic display of pictures and newspaper items of fairs in the past may be • viewed n the hall. Friday night features a pet parade at 7 p.m. for elementary and pre-school children with prizes for all The chain sawing com- petition, bale throwing, log sawing with a • cross -cut saw and arm wrestling round out the evening's events. , Saturday brings the English and Western Horse Show and the Heavy Horse Show star- ting at 10: Maxi, and Continuing throughout the day. At noon the parade will leave the United Church corner and travel north on main street and west to the Agricultural grounds. At 1 p.m. the horseshoe pitching competi- •-• ;" , • ': l• • tion commences with inIe409-14000C1003. The 41- Judging starts at 1:30 and blcycle races will be held en the, track, at 2:38. The three classes for the bicycle races will be: seven years of age, and under, eight to 12 years of age and 13 years and over. Also at 2:30 is the baby show. Babies must be registered in advance at the hall. Special classes for twins are a new feature DAY CorsilL4105 ONE DAY ONLY MO.NDAYJ AUGUST 13TH KAL KAN ASSORTMENT OF 4* 3149 DAY L SHOP 9 A.M. TO 8 PA CAT FOOD 6 OZ. TIN ASSORTED FLAVOURS 5/ $ LADIES 1/2 SLIPS SIZES S, M, L 1 LB. BAG CHIP FOAM $1.44' 10" CANDLES ASSORTED COLOURS JR. MISS PANTY HOSE 1 SIZE ASSORTED COLOURS 3/ $1 .44 BYE THE SEA CHUNK LIGHT TUNA 61/2 OZ. TIN 2/$1 .44 LADES' PANTY HOSE 3/$1.44 WHITE CANISTER BAGS 10 PER PACK 3/$1 044 CELLO TAPE 3 ROLL PACK $1.44 SILK FLOWERS 6/$1 .44 1" BINDERS $1.44 DISPOSABLE COFFEE MUGS 2/$1 4 LARGE •ASSORTMIENT PLASTIC FC1RKS, SPOONS & KNIVES 2 PKG. — ALL ITEMS AVAILABLE WHILE QUANTITIES LAST - 146 THE SQUARE, GODERICH PHONE 524-4420 OPEN: MONDAY THRU THURSDAY & SATURDAY 9 AM -5:30 PM FRIDAYS 9 AM -9 PM DEPARTMENT STORE 0 0 0 asimi CONVENIENT LAY -A -WAY USE OUR OR MEM VISA DA )44111 MONDAY, AUGUST 13TH