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12 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY,SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 Celebrating rural life at "The Best Little Fair in Ontario" In the spring of 1913, the Town of Acton held a meeting at which many citizens came forward to support a "Fall Fair." Previous to this meeting the Esquesing Fair had been held two years in Acton, then two years in Georgetown, starting in 1846. For a period, from 1889 to 1892 the Acton Fair was called the Acton Union Fair and was a two-day fair held during the week. Two well-known families, the Sprowls and the Somervilles, were exhibitors and won prizes. In 1892, the Fair in Acton was known as the Acton Horticultural and Agricultural Exhibition. In 1908, the Fair at Acton was advertised in the Acton Free Press - "Open to the World - Esquesing Fall Fair at Acton. Admission 25 cents, children 10 cents." In 1909, the Fair at Acton had 459 entries in horses alone. In 1912, the Fair was held at Georgetown and the Acton Free Press was 3 cents a copy. At the annual meeting of the Township Society held in January 1912, it was voted to cancel the alternating arrangements and hold the fair annually in Georgetown. After the town meeting in the Spring of 1913, the committee formed canvassed the town for funds. George Havill was elected President and G e o rg e H y n d s w a s elected SecretaryTreasurer. Acton Fair has carried on through wartime, depression and rainy fair days. The first school children's parade as held in 1916, and the first beauty pageant was held in 1919 with the prize going to the "Handsomest Married Lady" on the grounds. The first poultry show was in 1939, and the fair continued unabated through the war years. The events which would evolve into the Acton Fall Fairs were held in the 1850s or 1860s in the drill shed which then stood on the corner of Bower Avenue and Elgin Street. The building was later moved to the Park, and then later still converted to a poultry barn for the Fair. "We had good fairs in those days, too," says the book Acton's Early Days, "...the shed was filled with exhibits ...and the 25¢ admis- sion fee would go about as far as a dollar goes now. Cattle were shown on the lot next to the Storey Glove works (now the post of- fice) and horses were judged on Bower Avenue." Excerpts taken from the 50th Anniversary Committee, Mac Sprowl Speech, 1988 Acton Market Place Plaza TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ACTON To The memBers of AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, socieTy, THEIR The AcTon AgriculTurAl FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR A Their fAmilies And friends for SUCCESSFUL FALL FAIR A successful 2010 fAll fAir. Certified General Accountant 273 Queen St. Acton 519-853-4311 Best BEST Wishes! WISHES! NELLIS CONSTRUCTION LIMITED ROAD BUILDING EARTH MOVING Ready to serve Enjoy the Fair!! R.R. #1 Acton Daniel Varanelli 853-0960 Celebrates Ontario Agriculture and encourages all to visit the 99th Annual Acton Fall Fair. 372 Queen St. E., Acton 519.853.1960 Trenton Mobile Veterinary Service House calls for ~ Continuing to serve Halton Hills ~ f a m i ly P e t s Dr. Christina Swainson-Trenton, Dr. David Mills & Assistant Sarah Boot wish all contestants a very successful weekend at the Acton Fall Fair. 519-853-2126 FAIR FUN: The Rockwood geese got into the fall fair spirit with rides and games ­ just like visitors to the Acton Fall Fair this weekend. ­ Marie Shadbolt photo