What better place and time to unveil an interpretive plaque honouring Port Elgin’s long history of a Fall Fair than at the Port Elgin Fall Pumpkinfest.
The Municipal Heritage Committee, Chair Cheryl Grace, and several guests, unveiled the plaque at the Opening Ceremony of Pumpkinfest on Saturday, October 5th.
The historical plaque honours the Port Elgn Agricultural Society and the Port Elgin Fall Fair that was one of the most positive community events in the Town’s history.
Chair Cheryl Grace went on to explain that the first Port Elgin Fall Fair, sponsored by the North Bruce and Saugeen Agricultural Society, was held in Octoer 1857.
“While early fairs were held on the land east of the old high school on Mill Street,” she said, “by 1895, the Fair moved to what is now Lakeview Park (Port Elgin Tourist Camp), and where the agricultural pavilion, the Palace, was built along with a racetrack and exhibition grounds.”
With its livestock, farm produce, 4–H Club, School and varied exhibits, the Fair attracted
visitors from all over the region. On the plaque are pictures of the Palace, a
parade float from the South Saugeen Women’s Institute, livestock exhibits, and a horse
race which always brought huge crowds.
In 1967, the Fair was discontinued, but was resurrected in the early 80s. Although the Fair in these years drew many participants, with 823 exhibits and twice as many horses as expected, it ultimately ended after 1982 because of a lack of volunteers and increasing costs.
“A huge thanks goes out to the Pumpkinfest organizers for allowing us to unveil this plaque in the Opening Ceremony,” said Grace. “Our Committee thought it would be very fitting to pay homage to the Port Elgin Fair at Pumpkinfest which has carried the spirit of the Fair forward since 1988.”
The plaque will remain on display at Pumpkinfest throughout the weekend.
The committee thanked Michael Howe, who was at the unveiling, for suggesting the topic.
His father, Roy Howe, was the President of the Port Elgin Agricultural Society in 1964 when the Centennial Gates honouring the Port Elgin Agricultural Society at the entrance to Lakeview Park were erected, and where the new plaque will be installed.
Grace also acknowledged other guests whose families were instrumental as leaders of the Port Elgin Fair:
- Gwen Wilson, whose father, Wesley Howe, was the Fair President in 1957/58;
- Ken Kelly, whose father Charles, was the Chair of the Fair Board
- Gord and Ross Lamont, whose father Kent, had been a President in the 1950s, and who led the resurrection of the Fair in 1981 and 1982
Grace said she had looked through Fair program for the 1950s and 60s that Gwen Wilson has saved from her fathers period of leadership.
“You can’t help but be tremendously impressed with the depth of organization and effort that went into the Fair,” said Grace. “The huge variety of exhibits and activity was awesome, but most of all, it spoke to people working together to celebrate the wonderful farming society which forms one of the pillars of Saugeen Shores. The families’ dedication to the Fair has contributed so much to the legacy of Saugeen Shores.”
