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J durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ September 13,2006 ♦ Page A7 A CLARINGTON COMMUNITY A weekly in-depth look at the communities that shape Clarington s ^ï j Agricultural Fair planted in tradition BY JULIE CASHIN-OSTER Special to The Statesman ORONO -- No doubt this past weekend weekend Orono was the place to be. Beautiful Beautiful weather combined with outstanding entertainment and displays resulted in record attendance and visitors to Orono. "We have taken great care to make sure that there are items of interest for every age. I would like to thank the directors, committee members, sponsors and all of the volunteers who donate countless hours to make this fair a great success. J would also like to thank my executive, office staff, our fair manager and promotion promotion manager for their hard work," said Donna Scott, president of the Durham ' Central Agricultural ' ' .. . , ' Fui 1 "- For more . .. It may not be com- on this story mon knowledge but l*< watch vide5\ the Durham Central dwttlw ' , " ;, ' 0n - 001 " Agricultural Society, a non-profit organization, which hosts the Orono Fair, is made up of a volunteer board of directors. In addition to the volunteer volunteer board and the committees which work on the fair throughout the year, there are approximately 100 volunteers who make everything happen during the four days. One family at the fair was just in "awe" of the whole thing. Now, when you have lived in the area for 35 some odd years you can spot the new ones. "This is amazing. This is our first time out here," said Brian Colby, visiting with • his family from Toronto. "It is so close. The agricultural displays are fabulous - left: Natalie Kellogg, Jaymie Adams, Scott Sikma and Laura Millson. it is wonderful to see the 4-H displays. I didn't think it still existed." . A • long-standing tradition with local agricultural fairs is to crown a Fair Queen or Princess. No longer open only to females, the contest is now dubbed Fair Ambassador and Orono has a new one, Sarah Schoenmaker, 2006 Fair Ambassador. Ambassador. ; This year marks the 154th year of the Durham Central Agricultural Society's fair. This warranted a visit to the Claring- , ton Museums and Archives,. The fair wasn't always held in Orono' For the first 20 years the Clarke Agricul- ' tural Society held the annual show in the Village of Newcastle. The "show" alternated alternated between Newcastle and Orono - even years Newcastle, odd years Orono, and then in 1895 Orono became its home. For many years it was held on Wednesday and Thursday. In 1895, The Statesman reported, "tremendous "tremendous crowds flocked there on Saturday Saturday and so greatly encouraged are the directors that a three day World's Fair is talked of for 1896." There was no world's fair in Orono. Not unlike the traditional World's Fair, . the Orono Fair saw its share of new technology. In 1858, Mr. Odell of Bovv- manville showed the washing machine. In 1895, T.N. Rickard of Rowmanville demonstrated the sewing machine. In 1903, Levi Morris demonstrated the gramophone for the first time and in . 1912, Seymour Power Company demonstrated demonstrated electricity. Crowds lined up to see bread being toasted, food cooked in an Walter Passarella / Metroland Durham Region Media Group at the annual Durham Central Agricultural Fair. From the Mouth Organ Contest in 1944. _ The strangest event in history was the first and last Rooster Race held in 1938. Three children were entered and with a light rope tied around each wing they 'drove' the rooster. It was reported that, when Go was yelled the roosters wouldn't, move unless they were kick started. In the prize book from 1913 - the oldest at the archives - listed were the event categories and prize money similar to what we see today all the livestock; grain and seeds; fruit; flowers and plants; vegetables; and dairy produce. However, there is one category that has faded from the books over time - Women's Work. The category is still present, it's just not called the same. This is all the fine quilting, quilting, embroidery, knitting and sewing you see displayed. In 1913 the prize money for a quilt was 50 cents for first place and 2nd place, 25 cents. Today it's 1st S10, 2nd $8,3rd $6 and 4th $4. From it's opening Thursday night with the Good Brothers to the demolition derby closing Sunday afternoon, Orono's treasured attraction 'did Clarington proud. Teacher Miy a Kinos from the Pines Elementary School shovys her true colours while watching the tug-of-rope contest.. oven and clothes ironed. Entertainment over the last 154 years has included a speed contest which was held for local horses in 1899, a baseball game in 1894, in 1910 the first baby show, a Fat Man's Race in 1916, and a- 154th version of the event attracts visitors from across Greater Toronto Area Walter Passarella / Metroland Durham Region Media Group Taylor Zabtingh rushes to a fourth-place finish in the senior girls sack race competition at the annual Durham Central Fair. BY CATHERINE VIVIAN Special to The Statesman ORONO - : Orono, so named because an early settler thought it looked like Orono, Maine; and named it after the New England town, is made up of a tapestry woven from the lives of its inhabitants and visitors. Twenty years after being, established, Orono became what was referred to as a police village in 1854. Many settlements, settlements, such as Sunderland, were given this designation as they had neither the population nor the finances to become a village. These places, while very small, would need to have facilities to deal with fire and safety issues, to build sidewalks and put up streetlights; the police village status would allow them to be governed by elected trustees to deal with such matters. This lasted many years until Orono was amalgamated with the surrounding surrounding area. Another important and lasting aspect of Orono's past is the Orono Forestry Station. Created in 1922, it lasted until the mid 1990s when it was closed down. In the 68 years it was open, the station station was responsible for millions of evergreen seedlings each year used to rebuild Ontario forests. An example of one of the ranger's duties was caring for "tree health," being on the watch for harmful diseases or pests. The trees would have been needed to repopulate where forest fires had destroyed area growth. The Orono Crown Lands Trust now acts as steward of the land the Old Forestry Station was on. 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