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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=9309 Export date: Tue Jul 23 17:32:52 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Shelburne Fair changes in time Shelburne & District Fair, first created by the Melancthon Agricultural Society, and once known as the Dufferin Central Exhibition, was established in 1867 making it older than Shelburne itself. Many changes have occurred over the decades, and the fair's 147th year is no exception, with big changes in both physical layout and fair dynamics on the way. But change over time at the fair is nothing new. Kimberly Evans, a member of the Agricultural Society Board, shared some facts about the changes from the fair's long history with the Free Press. The first fair for Shelburne, Amaranth, Melancthon, Mono and Mulmer was a one day event in October 1868 set on the roadside of Masonville. Later, in the 1880's, it was moved to George Charters' farm on the grounds of the Shelburne Turf Association for horse racing across from the railway station. Unfortunately, four inches of snow put a chill on its success and the following year it became a spring fair. Shelburne Turf Association became Shelburne Driving Club, which granted the fair use of the grounds for 1886-1887. That year, John Jelly, William's younger brother built a grandstand for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebrations, which stood until it was demolished in an aircraft accident in 1922. In 1888, Simon Jelly, the first of the Jelly family to settle in Shelburne, gave 16 acres of his farm to the Driving Club, containing a regulation half-mile race track and situated on the present day fairgrounds. In the late 1880's, the fair's excitement included horse races and a highland dance competition; John Jelly's mastodon skeleton was displayed in a tent; the Shelburne Citizens' Band played, and there were crowd pleasing fireworks. 1890 saw the addition of electrical lights in the Agricultural Hall, which resembled an old grain elevator; it was demolished in 1947 with the building of the arena. John Jelly displayed and demonstrated the first “talking machine” or gramophone seen in the area at the 1891 fair for 10cents admission, and his second mammoth skeleton, which, although not complete, was impressively larger than the first. In January of 1892, the Agricultural Society purchased the property from the Driving Club for $1,500 and in 1916 the horse stable, which is still in use today, was added to the property. In the following year, 1917, the 50th Anniversary was lost amid the dark days of WWI with no celebrations. However, large celebrations were held for the 60th in 1927 and the 100th in 1967. There was even a visit from Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1958. By 1972, there was a six member Executive Board, 30 members on the Board of Associate Directors, and a 35 member Ladies' Board of Associate Directors seeing over 200 entrants and a 90 page prize list. On February 8th, 2014 Bruce Peterson was voted in as the new President of the Shelburne District Agricultural Society, with Larry Braiden as the new 1st Vice President and Jason Yarwood as co-2nd Vice President. And so, the evolution of the Shelburne & District Fair continues. This year will see many new initiatives to consolidate and condense the fair set in motion by shrinking grounds space due to the new school building and the CDRC's decision to leave the ice in the recreation centre throughout the summer. As the summer ice makes the complex uncomfortable for exhibitors and attendees, the Fair Board decided to make a move to become self sufficient and make the grounds accessible to other groups and events. “Its looking amazing,” says Jason Yarwood, who describes the Show Barn upgrades as Phase A of a long list of renovations that will take place leading up to the Shelburne District Agricultural Society's sesquicentennial in 2017. The Show Barn has been insulated and a concrete floor poured; electrical upgraded to facilitate vendors; lighting for exhibits; exterior lights replaced; and a sheet metal interior finish. “These renovations to the grounds are our commitment to preserving the culture of agriculture in our community of Mulmur, Mono, Amaranth, Melancthon and of course the quickly changing town of Shelburne,” says Yarwood. The fair area will be condensed into the southern portion of the fair grounds, creating a vendor's circle around the stage. Kelly Montgomery, Homecraft President is looking forward to the newly renovated building. “We hope everyone comes out with their entries or just comes out and see the new Shelburne Fall Fair,” says Montgomery. After visiting a lot of fairs in the District, she can honestly say, “Shelburne has one of the best displays of Homecrafts… everyone has worked very hard this year to bring Shelburne and surrounding townships a great Fall Fair. The Krazy Kites theme is going to bring a lot of colour and fun into our Homecraft and Junior Fair displays, and the flowers and vegetables should be plentiful with all the rain this summer.” Final preparations are moving ahead and Yarwood says, “There is an increased interest in this year's fair which is filled to the rim with Juno award winning entertainment; invitations to every vendor that exists, and every classic antique car within 100 miles.” He adds, “The Board of Directors have been working extra hard to make this the smash event of the year in Shelburne.” Come to the fair Friday, Saturday, Sunday, September 12–14. By Marni Walsh  Photo courtesy of Dufferin County Museum and Archives |
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Post date: 2014-09-03 17:01:03 Post date GMT: 2014-09-03 21:01:03 Post modified date: 2014-09-10 12:56:44 Post modified date GMT: 2014-09-10 16:56:44 |
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