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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,1977, PAGE 7 Briaii Winter's H istoricai Wh itby FIRST FAIR, 1853 With the Town of Whitby commencing plans to locate the Oshawa Fair near Brooklin in'the next few years, Whitby is regaining an annual institution it lost 71 years ago. The South Ontario Agricultural Society was formed at Whitby in 1853, and until 1905, held an annual fall fair in Whitby. In 1906 the fair moved to Oshawa, where it remained until a few years ago when it was evicted from Alexandra Park by the Oshawa City Council.. Since then the fair has been without a home. Fall fairs have beén part of rural Ontario since the earliest days of settlement. As early as 1835, the Agricultural Society of the East Riding of York was holding meetings in Whitby Township. In October 1837, the Agricultural Society of Whitby and Pickering held a fall fair at Windsor Village, which later became the Town of Whitby. The various townships continued to operate their own agricultural societies, until 1853 when the formation of an agricultural society for the new County of Ontario was discussed. On January 26, 1853, the Whitby Agricultural Society met at the Town Hall in Brooklin and resolved that it fully approved of forming an agricultural society for the new County of Ontario, The president and directors of each of the township societies,in the new county were asked to form a committee to- discuss the idea, and call a general meeting. A public meeting to organize the new county agricultural society was held in Whitby on February 9, 1853. At least five townships had agreed to participatfe. The officers elected were: Ebenezer Birrell, president; John Ritson, first vice-president; S. Widdifield, second vice- president; John Ham Perry, secretary; John Corbett, treasurer; and Joseph Pierson, John Clark, John Shier, J. C. Sterling, Abraham Farewell, Adam Spears, and William Boynton, directors. The first Ontario County agricultural fair was held in Whitby on September 28, 1853: The fair was opened by the president, Mr. Birrell, and $234 in prizes was offered. Within 20 years, the prize money had grown to over $2,000, for more than 2,000 entries. The society at that first fair, possessed no show grounds or accommodation of any kind. The fair was held literally on the main streets of the town, wherever there was space to show animuls and exhibits. It was a-one-day show, compared to the three-day event of later years. In 1855, the new town of Whitby established what is now Centennial Park as a public park, marketplace and fair grounds, and the Ontario County Agricultural Society set up its fair in this permanent location, with ample buildings, for keeping animals and setting up displays. Within the first 20 years of. the society's existence, the northern municipalities felt that Whitby was too far away for the fair, so the county society was split into the South Ontario ,nd 'orth Ontarlo County Agricultural Societies. The South Ontario Society continued to meet at Whitby. By 1872, the South Ontario County Agricultural Society was collecting about $1,500 in gate receipts, and new stabling accommodation with 40 stalls for horses was added to the fair grounds. A new building to accommodate 100 cattle was also constructed in 1872. An elevated six foot hall ran the entire length of the building, with stalls open on each side. Four oblong fenced pens were erected for the exhibition • of cattle, sheep and pigs, and a 300-foot-long shed for sheep and swine was erected at the south end of the fair grounds. There was also ample room for showing of poultry and farm implements. A drill shed erected in 1867 for the use of the local militia was converted into a hall for the exhibition of roots, grain, manufactured goods, the fine arts and ladies' work. Until 1879, when it moved uptown, the town hall at the north .end of the fair grounds was also used for exhibits. The fair was held every September, and the prize lists filled an entire page of the local newspaper, the Whitby Chronicle. Hot meals were served for 25 cents apiee in the3own hall at any hour of the day, and hay and oats for feeding the animals on exhibit was.supplied free by the fair board. Every exhibitor had a number which corresponded to a' number on a stall in one of the many frame buildings on the site. The new fair buildings constructed in 1872 were the work of a Whitby contractor and carpenter, William Barnes. (Next week: the fair moves to Garden Street) Corrid< Capers The Corridor Capers dance is just a few weeks away. October 14. Committee members have been busily making arrangements. An evening of fun, dancing and enjoying your neighbours after a long summer break, has been planned. Tickets are $4.00 per person and are available from Lynn Majoros, 723-1680, myself, or any member of the executive. Dancing begins at 8:30 at Heydenshore; included is lunch, refreshments and prizes. Reserve your tickets early to avoid disappointment. t 1thOshawa Cubs Registration was brisk last Wednesday. There is still room for 3 or 4 more boys to take advantage of the Cub training. If you were unable to register last week, take your boy to-night to Thornton Community Centre for registration. An interesting and educational program is planned for the coming year. Lady Baden-Powell Memorial Service A memorial Service for Lady Baden-Powell will be held Thursday, September 22'at 6:30 p.m. at Kingsview United Church or St. Çeorge's Anglican Church. All former Guides and Brownies and members of the Public are invited. Whitby Curling Club Several events are planned for the opening of the new season. An OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for Friday, September 30, at 8 p.m. You are invited to an informal evening of curling films, speakers and question and answer session. The Whitby Curling Club is located at 815 Brock St. N., Whitby. Telephone 668-5021. For more information about Looking for total design and construction service? You've got our numberi R. Bibeau Construction Ltd. 655-3381 . ...Pfdon wkmndbrdsyst.VP i Divisin of Dominion Bridge Ltd. Business Girls, contact Lorna Solly at 668-6013 after 4:30 p.m. Our hearty congratulations to Larry Hall of 82 Scott Street. Larry was the lucky first place winner of the Legion Alexander Alexander D. Childs, of 850 Green Street, died Sept. 5 at the Dr. J. O. Ruddy Hospital at the age of 70. Mr. Childs was born Oct. 13, 1906 in Sussex, England. He was an attendant at the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital for 18 years and a security officer at the S. S. Kresgee store in Oshawa for seven years. He had been retired six years at the time of his death. He was a member of All Saints' Anglican Church, Whitby. Mr. Childs is survived by his wife, the former Margaret Ann Thompson whom he married, October 27, 1928 at Whitby; and five sons, Robert of Hampton' Kenneth of Markham, Ronald of Whitby, and George and Norman of Ajax. He is also survived by one daughter, Mrs. Gibb Chabot (Marguerite) of Oshawa, and one sister, Mrs. Walter Head (Gwen) of England. Mr. Childs is also survived by 15 grandchildren and one great grandchildren. The funeral service was conducted at the W. C. Town Funeral Chapel by Rev. J. A. Draw. Couldn't happen to a better person. Don't spend it all in one place Larry. Call 725-8967 with news items for the Column. Have a good week. M.McEachern. D. Childs dies at hospital at age 70 Roney of All Saints' Church. side Cemetery. to the anaprcian tartiFund Interment followed in Grove- If '.;sired, coi.tributions would le appreciateti. Esther May Hood dies Sept. 8 Esther May Hood, who Roney at W. C. Town Scarborough. formerly resided at 810 Green Funeral Chape! Sept. 12, In lieu of flowers, contri- Street Apt. 110, died at followed by interrment in Rest butions to the Canadian Heart Fairview Lodge Sept. 8 at the Ilaven Memorial Gardens in Fund would be appreciated. age of 81. 0 Mrs. Hood, a daughter of the late John and nEmma ý . lar 1b *- Walker, was born April 19, 1896 at Bedworth, Warwick- shire, England. She was pre- deceased by her husband, Harry Hood, whom she married Dec. 27, 1921 in England. Mrs. Hood was a life member of the Order of the Easter Star, Chapter 248, and a member of All Saints' Anglican Church. She is survived by one son, Ralph E. Hood, of Midland; one daughter, Mrs. Robert J. Jennings (Dorothy M.) of Bridgenorth, and several brothersandsistersin England. Mrs. Hood is also survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. J. A. 6" Flue 6'~ FlueSTOVES 24 $9500 Other Models Carried in Stock Pls Prefb Chknneys MITCHELL BROTHERS Building Supplies Ltd. E E E E E e o e I You'fre In for m Tréoti Watch out for our Grand Opening * coming ln October ICE CREAM ITODES Safeway Centre Brock St. South whitby • . e 0 le 4b a ee0 e I FISHER REFRIGERATION SERVICE Authorized AMANA dealer Save energy with high efficincy central air conditioning sales.ond instaklltion Repairs toail makes of freezers, refriger.tors, air conditioners, dehumidiflers. We cean & service residential and commercial air condiioners Repaira to Ail Makes Freezers - Refrigerators - Air Conditioners We Recharge Automobile Air Conditioning 20 QUEEN STREET BROOKLIN, ONTARIO 855-3233 E or