Comox Valley Fall Fair -

CDM #p55-301 First Agricultural Exhibition in Comox Valley, 1893

August 23rd – 25th

The Comox Valley Exhibition is celebrating their 150th anniversary August 23rd to 25th. By coincidence, a brief history of the fair written by Tom Menzies was recently transcribed in the archives. Enjoy!

“It was on one of those unsettled September days in the year 1893 that the Comox Valley Agricultural and Industrial Association held its first fair. True there had been previous exhibitions around 1874, held in the hall which stood for a few years on Mission Hill but this was the first event of the new Association.

For weeks previous, industrious agriculturalists had been feverishly making plans for this event. Yes, industrious and far sighted were those pioneers. They had the cattle, they had the horses, why not see who had the best so that others would have the incentive to improve theirs?

The women were adept at cooking and dress making, why not have them compete also.

Why not form an Agricultural and Industrial Association? Thus, Comox Valley’s first Association was born.

It was the first recognized organization north of Nanaimo and the third Agricultural Association to be formed in B.C.

Mr. Joseph McPhee who is still with us in his ninety-third year, was its first President and sole remaining official of that event.

A large number of those present at that fair are grandparents now, and all have something good to say of it.

The first officers were Jos. McPhee – President, Alex Urquhart – 1st Vice, Robt Grant – 2nd Vice, J. Mundell – Secretary, Wm Duncan – Treasurer, and Directors M. Whitney, Jas McKim, SJ Piercy, John Hetherington, Wm Robb, Archibald Milligan, Alex McMillan, and George Heatherbell.

The hard-working committee who actually carried the fair through, building pens and temporary sheds were Sam Piercy, Wm Harmston, Wm Grieve and Byron Crawford.

In the photo of the first fair are to be seen McKelveys [sic], Urquharts, Piercys and Hallidays exhibiting cattle while Wm Duncan, Walter Rennison and Grieve Bros are seen showing horses.

Old timers relate that a heavy downpour in the afternoon drove everyone under cover of the temporary building. The children, not having access to “ice cream, pop and hot dogs” grew restless until Mrs. Sam Piercy sliced her prize loaves of bread [and] Mrs. Lewis spread on her prize butter, thus allaying their pangs of hunger and creating piece[sic] and contentment among them.

That first year the rules were not embedded in the minds of the spectators, consequently people helped themselves and when the time came to gather up not an edible exhibit was left. Next year “Don’t Touch” notices were conspicuously displayed. The first fair had been a success.

In the year [1894] the first hall was erected by community effort, serving as a religious, social and political centre for the district.

In the years following farming made rapid progress. The Creamery was in operation making for increased dairy production, horse logging and teaming demanded bigger and better horses, while thriving livery stables and grocers called for the best in driving animals.

A Horse Breeders Association imported a fine Percheron “Just”. The dairy herds of the valley were improved by importation of more pure-bred Jerseys until at one time the dairy cattle of Comox Valley and Denman Island ranked high in Butterfat Production throughout the Dominion.

In 1937 under the leadership of J. H. MacIntyre the present fine hall was built, also by community effort and now in 1943 Golden Jubilee year plans are afoot to make this fair an outstanding event. Some fine cattle have been promised including some imported from Chilliwack last year by WA Urquhart, to be shown in the registered class while the horses will be headed by the fine Clyde Stallion Blue Bomber owned by J Casanave. There is fine incentive for sheep breeders to bring there[sic] best and John Crockett who specializes in pure bred pigs will undoubtedly encourage all who can to compete.

With a well arranged entertainment and sports programme it is anticipated that a record crowd will celebrate this Golden Jubilee Fair day making it a day to remember.”