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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-08-15, Page 16Page 14 --The Wingnam Advance -Times, Aug. 15, 1984 Dungannon Fair will celebrate its 125th anniversary this weekend In January of 1858, the Wawanosh and Ashfield branch of the agricultural society was formed with the president being David Mclllwain, the secretary, John Mallough, the treasur- er, Robert Clendenning and the vice president, William Treleaven. The directors were William Harris, James Somerville, John Savage, William Durnin, Charles Girvin, Robert Davidson, Henry Holland, Janis McNight and Berard McCabe. The first Dungannon fair was held Oct; 8 of that year on the farm of William Mallough with races held on the road and small exhibits housed in a drill hall. The society had worked long and hard to plan this one -day event of long ago and this year Dungannon will be holding 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 entitled 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 from 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 fairs" The Institute's book also reports: "In 1891, fourteen and one-tenth acres were purchased from Wm. Mallough by the Dungannon Agricultural and Driving Park Association, and built a half -mile track, a grand- stand and a two-storey hall. The Agricultural Society rented these grounds for $65 and for two days of the Fair. "In 1942 the Agricultural Society purchased ' the grounds from the Driving Park Association. As the hall had been soldto a private owner, the Society pur- chased 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 class rooms paraded. "As at most early fairs, grounds were enclosed with a high board fence; none remain today." , ANNUAL EVENT The Dungannon Fair continued as• an annual event, a. time to visit with friends and neighbors, to display produce and home crafts, to relax and enjoy some fun. However,; little by little, the fair became less self- sufficient. The active in- terest 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 happened. Then an energetic group decided it would not let a part of history die by the Way. 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 Valentine's Day, Spring, Hallowe'en and New Year's as well as continuing with the fair dance. However, during the last couple of years, all groups are ex- periencing a lower at- tendance at fund-raising dances. The poor economy, the increasing number of community centres and the popularity of "stag and doe" parties all may be partly to blame. Despite the cause, the Dungannon Agricultural Society consequently has now limited its regular dances to Hallowe'en and New Year's. This year's dances will be held Oct. 27 and Dec. 31. In 1977, the society sponsored a slo-pitch ball tournament to help raise funds for the fair. Since there were very few tournaments of this kind in the area at that time, the weekend was a huge success in every regard. Slo-pitch tour- naments are becoming very popular now, but the Dungannon society reports its tournament held June 29, 30 and July 1 was very well attended. The winning team was the Goderich ideal Supply, while the Kings- bridge team was the runner- up. Ernie's Roadhouse Raid- ers won the $101) draw. 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. First, bad weather often plagued the September date and second, it it was agreed that a weekend might produce betterattendance than the former week days. But during September and October, other area fairs regularly are held, so not to interfere --with the other communities, the August date was.accepted. MORE CHANGES In 1982, the society tried anothernew twist, this time including a barbecue, . a variety concert and the crowning of Miss Dungannon Fair, Carol Ann Smyth. The Kinburn Foresters put on a • Young athletes gather medals at Prov. meet Four young athletes from the Wingham Track . and Field Club won medals at Sunday's provincial Ban- tam, Midget and Juvenile track and field cham- pionships held at J. W. Little Stadium at the University of Western Ontario, London. Anna Sakasov brought home the gold when she captured the Bantam girls dj§cus with a top throw of 26 metres and 72 centimetres. She also got a bronze medal in the javelin throw with her 21m and 91cm effort. Sandy MacDonald won a gold medal for his per- formance in the Midget boys meal of pork chops with all the trimmings. This year's Dungannon Fair promises to be just as much fun. A whole year of planning, work and various fund-raising events has preceded the fair: It is ex- pected that between $3,500 and $4,000 will be used as prize money this year. The current president is Bob McNeil, Carol Nivens is the first vice, second vice is Jack Pentland, Carol Anne 1Vlenary is the secretary and Linda McNee is the treasurer. Other directors are: Jack Caesar, Eldon Culbert, John Fielder, Bernice Glenn, Bonnie Hodges, Grant Johnston and Robert Wright, while a large number of other area people also donate help when it is needed. Throughout the fair, exhibits of baking, sewing, quilts, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, flowers, process- ed foods, school work, photo- graphs, junior and element- ary homemaking, vegeta- bles and fruit may be viewed in the hall. Field crops will be shown in the barn. A flea market and commercial displays will offer a wide variety of goods. A special historic display of pictures and newspaper items of fairs in the past may, be viewed in the hall. This Friday evening features a pet parade, starting a 7 p.m. for elementary and preschool children with prizes for all. The chainsaw competition, bale throwing, log -sawing with a cross -cut saw and arm wrestling round out the evening's events. Saturday starts off with the English, Western and heavy horse show at 10:30 a.m. 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. A horseshoe pitching competition commences at 1 p.m. with mixed doubles classes. The 4-H judging starts at 1:30 and bicycle. races will be held 'on the. track at 2:30. The three classes 'for the bicycle races will be: seven and under; eight to 12; and 13 and over. A baby show also begins at 2:30 p.m. Babies must be registered in advance in the pole vault event with a vault of three metres and 45 cm. Steve McKague and Pat O'Donoghue tied for the bronze medal in the Midget boys high jump with jumps of one metre and 85 cen- timetres. Other young Wingham athletes who competed but were not in the medals were Jenny Bender in the 80m hurdles and the 300m hur- dles, Mike Cameron in the 100m hurdles and the 300m hurdles, Craig Oatman in the pole 'vault and Gary Bum- stead in the shot put.' Miss Sakasov came in fourth in the 330m hurdles. OILOCARD TUa=0Tie %%=z---aw Beat the fall rush m oil now. August customers m chance on Lucky Draws. 1st Prize - Cruise Control (not installed) 2nd Prize - 2 Amp. Battery Charger 3rd Prize - Car Blanket 4th Prize - Car Cushion 5th Prize . Steering Wheel Cover To be drawn Aug. 31st at Closing. All for $34,95 • 396-9115 190 Queen St, South - Across from Cemetery (Back North West Corner) KINCARDINE hall A special class for twins is a new feature this year. ; A 3 Everyone can enjoy the watermellop seed -spitting contest at,3 p.m. During the afternoon, musical entertainment will be supplied by the Nine -Mile River Boys, featuring Doug Young, Don Dickson, Brian Petrie and Kelly Brindley. Clowns, children's games, a midway and food booths all will be a part of the day's features°as well. The draw for a beautiful bridge set, consisting of a round table and four chairs will be made at 3:30 p.m. The Dungannon Agricul- tural Society is pleased to carry on the tradition started in 1858. Why not be a part of this 125 -year old event by coming to the fair this Fri- day and Saturday? You will be sure to find some old-fash- ioned fun at a down-to-earth price for the whole family. For more information please call 529-7432 or 529- 7956 or contact one of the directors. Lifeguards place third Members of the life - guarding staff at the Wingham Centennial Pool placed third last week at' a lifeguarding competition held at Clinton. Team members were John Leedham, Brent Proud,. Brad Shobbrook and Tracey MacKay. The competition, which included teams from Stratford, Mitchell, Kin- cardine, Clinton, Mildmay, Kirkton and twoleams from London, consisted1of two- man guarding, four -man guarding, two-man first aid and a relay race. Overall, one London team placed first, Clinton second and Wingham third. SAFETY TIPS The Industrial Accident Prevention Association has these suggestions to help, make your home electrically safe. Never overload outlets; check regularly, for frayed or broken cords; never run cords under carpets, and use grounded outlets for large appliances and power tools. SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS put on a show for their friends following a break -dancing ' session at the Wingham playground last week. Robbie MacKay, legs high in the air, demonstrates one of the gravity -defying moves of this popular entertainment. This session was Agr, society plans fall fair BRUSSELS -- _ The agricultural society officers and directors met last month at the lipEary to make plans for this *it's fall fair. Wayne Lowe is to look after purchasing steel for the new show barn and getting the old barn dismantled. Tickets for the Sept. 8 Queen of the Fair dance will be available at the door only. Lunch will be served and the contest is to be held on the ice surface. Kathy McGaviii, last year's fair queen, is going to the Canadian National Exhibition at Toronto to compete in its queen contest. The local society granted Miss McGavin $100 to help cover her expenses. - The figure skaters are to be asked if they will operate a second lunch booth at the fair, if not, minor hockey will be invited. This year's fair will be opened by the Brussels, Morris and Grey -bicen- tennial king and queen. Dairy Princess visits WI FORDWICH — Pot -luck picnic supper was enjoyed by the Fordwich Women's Institute at the hall at 7 p.m. Mrs. W. Hargrave gave the devotions. , Roll call was "Two cents for each time I used milk today." Mrs. Hargrave introduced Muriel Huth of the Clifford area who is the new Dairy Princess of Huron County. She was wearing her navy and white outfit complete with red princess sash and crown. Miss Huth read her essay, "What life would be like on a: dairy farm — from the viewpojitt,:gf p Cow". The humorous piece was much enjoyed. Muriel Huth will be com- peting at the Canadian Na- tional -,Exhibition on Aug. 24. It is hoped that a bus will be available for people to go and see the competition. Miss Huth has spoken to schools,' other institutes and in malls. She has demon- strated how she had to walk and sit to compete, has shown books on milk recipes and conducted a milk quiz. She was thanked and the meeting was then concluded. ANNA SAKASOV and Pat O'Donoghue each brought home Medals for the Wingham Track and Field Club following the Bantam, Midget and Juvenile championships held Sunday at the University of Western Ontario at London. Anna won the gold medal in the discus event and the bronze in the Bantam javelin throw, while Pat won a bronze medal in the Midget boys' high jump and tied with another Wingham 'athlete Steve McKague. Wingham's Sandy MacDonald took a gold medal also in the Midget boys', pole vault. coached by members of the Kincardine Breakers, a new group with over 40 members, aged seven to 14, but break -dancing classes will be offered through the. Wingham recreation department this fall. • APPEARING THIS WEEKEND 'THE WEB" IN CONCERT WED., AUG. 22 DAVID I AVII:COX TICKETS $5.00 NOW ON SALE WED., AUG. 29 MIKE MANDELL N0 BACKWARDS BOB TICKETS $3.50 NOW ON SALE WINGHAM OPTIMIST MONSTER .BINGO. (Final one of the summer) Sun., Aug. 19 Wingham Arena Doors open at 1:00 p.m. 10 Early -bird Quickies at 1 :30 10 Regular dne-line $100 Bingos 3 Special $200 Bingos 1 $500 Special Game 1 Jackpot of $1,000 2 Share -the -Wealth 1 Bonanza Bingo 10 Night -Owl Quickies at end More than $3, 000 must go! All proceeds for youth work! Everyone welcome!