The Huron Expositor, 1975-06-26, Page 554
Goderieh St. West 1975
houses in Ontario
0
4,
The Seaforth Fair 14'g:1,M
organized 130 years ago and the
fair, has been held in three
different locations under three
different, names, ' it was first
organized and held inliarpurhey
and was known as the Harpurhey
Agricultural Society.The second
location, in 1861 was in
Tuckersmith Township and
because early regulations of the
Department of Agriculture
required that the society assume
the name of its location the
society became known as the
Tuckersmith Agricultural Society
and was held where the Seaforth
Public School is now located.
The conditions of the second
location became inadequate and
also because, of the burning
under mysterious circumstances
of the large exhibits building and
poultry acconimodation in 1898,
another location was sought.
Records show that, because of.
this loss, no fair was held in 1899.
In 1899 The Seaforth Turf Club
bought land from Ed. Coleman
and built a race track where it is
to-day. When the track- and land
was put up for sale the Agri-
cultural Society purchased it. To
absorb the mortgage of $1,000.
held by George McCartney, the
town of Seaforth and the
townships of McKillop and
TuckeiSmith each contributed
$100 and the $700 balance by
Thos. Scott. Gordon McKenzie is
the present owner of the Thos.
Scott property.
Land was also purchased from
William Duggan on which was
built the unique and substantial
exhibition hall '- the roundhouse.
The parcel of land on which the
Community Centre stands was
transferred to the Town of
Seaforth with an agreement that
the. Society have free use of the
Centre for specified periods so
long as it is operated as a Centre.
The lilvestock barns have been
added-to froth time to time until
to-day Seaforth has excellent
accommodation for livestock in
goodly numbers. This year the
Perth:Huron Dairy Show is
moving to Seaforth Fair from
Stratford.
Platform•
In connection with the society's
110th anniversary in 1955, a
cement platform, speakers' and
Judges' stand complete with
pylon and plaque were built.The
unveiling ceremonies were
carried out by the then Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario, Louis
Breithaupt.•
In 1973 extensive repairs and
painting of barns, booth and
speakers stand were carried out.
Last year plans were laid for a
regulation size soccer field. This
year activities include repairing
and painting the round-house
(Exhibition Hall). This building is
unique as it is one of only two in
Ontario and the Ladies' Division
is anxious to see it restored.
Among the names of the early
presidents we • find. Humphrey
Snell, Dr. Harburn, Mike
Broderick, Andy Sutherland,
John McIntosh, and J. M.
Govenlock. Since 1950 those who
served as president are Robt. W.
Campbell (deceased), Russell
Bolton, Arthur Nicholson, Robt.
McMillan, Gordon Papple,
Harold Pryce, Earl McSpadden,
Arthur Bolton, John Murphy,
Earl Dick (deceased), Alfred Ross
Jr., and Joseph Devereaux.
Within the organization there
have been many faithful workers
over the years, without whom the
fair could not have been carried
on and their memory lingers on
although they have been replaced
by new and capable workers.
. Problems
Although faced with financial
problems at times due mainly to
poor weather conditions, the fair
has continued to grow and has
been of service as an' agricultural
showplace for the community and
the large area surrounding it for a
total of 130 years - surely an
enviable record.
In 1959 the fair was granted a
Class "B" status, and until this
year has been the only one to
. obtain such a rating. Since 1959 a
Junior Fair is working within the
organization, and in 1974
approximately $1000. was paid
out for Junior prizes. Mr. Len
McGregor reports that interest is
very keen in the 4-H groups and
1974 was the first showing of their
horse clubs.
1974 was also very successful
financially and the books were
closed with a slight balance. After
many years of carrying a debt this
seemed like quite a victory when
one considers that well over
$10,000. had been" paid in prizes
for the year.The Seaforth
Agricultural Society anticipates
many more successful years as
the history of the Seaforth Fair
unfolds.
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One of two oct gon
at the Agriculltur
trodeliiih" St. West 1900, THE HURON EXPOSITOR , JUNE 26, 1875 —13