4 Friday, May 26, 2023brooklintowncrier.com The annual Brooklin Spring Fair is over 100 years old and is a highly anticipated community tradition with a diverse range of activities, entertainment, food, exhibits, shows and a midway. The Fair, which began on May 24, 1911, was a one-day event held in Grass Park organized by the Southern Ontario Agricultural Association (SOAA). It was created to showcase the highest quality livestock in Southern Ontario. Farmers showed their prize crops and while their wives made jams, pies and other goodies to compete for red ribbons. Admission was 25 cents for adults, 10 cents for children and 25 cents for vehicles, with a community dance closing out the day. Off to the Vipond Farm As the Fair quickly become more popular, it became evident it had outgrown the Grass Park location. So, in 1915, it moved to Meadowcrest Farm (the current Meadowcrest subdivision) owned by John Vipond, who was paid $40 for the day. His farm was a temporary location though it didn't move to the Community Park location at 67 Winchester Road, East, until 1923. In 1915, Brooklin members of the SOAA formed the Brooklin Spring Fair Association. A year later, the Fair board donated proceeds to the Red Cross to support World War I Canadian soldiers fighting overseas. Local farmer Thomas Hall was the first President of the newly-formed board. He was the great-grandfather of Gary Young, current VicePresident of the Brooklin Heritage Society. The Fair's board of directors has featured several prominent farming families over the years including the Battys, Ormistons, Grandys, Drydens, Jacksons, Downs and Viponds, among others. Stone entrance After its move to the Community Park, members of the Fair Board and Brooklin residents collected field stones to construct the park's stone gates that still mark the entrance today. Over the next few decades, the Fair grew to become a two-day event with horseshoe pitching, softball, lacrosse and football games added to the festivities. Sometime around 1940, the Fair The History of the Fair By Jennifer Hudgins Elizabeth Roy MAYOR mayor@whitby.ca • 905-706-2001 HAVE BALES OF FUN AT THE BROOKLIN SPRING FAIR! Thank You to the Board and Volunteers for bringing us this fabulous annual event for 112 Years. Scan for Newsletter continued on page 5 Have Fun at the Have Fun at the Brooklin Spring Fair!Brooklin Spring Fair!