A look back at nearly a century of Shawville Fair coverage, from THE EQUITY’s first year of publication in 1883 through 1977, when our extensive photo archives begin.
1883
The annual exhibition of Agricultural Society No. 1 was held in Shawville yesterday, and on the whole was a marked improvement to that of last year, excepting perhaps that the crowd of people was not so large. The heavy rains of Monday and Tuesday it was feared, would be the means of preventing a good many people from turning out, but the high winds on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning had a magic effect and as the day wore on the mud disappeared, and travelling became comparatively good.
The competition in the various stock-classes was small but the animals on exhibition were of superior grades, especially may this be said of horses, milch cows and sheep.
The show of double and single carriages and cutters and farm implements was good.
1896
Following the rule in the case of one-day exhibitions, the directors and judges had to “get on a hustle” at an early hour, in order to cope with the volume of work thrown upon their shoulders. All that could be done in the way of perfecting arrangements, however, was attended to on the preceding evening, during which also, several of the exhibitors arrived with stock and goods and placed the same in the respective departments allotted to them.
The great increase in entries this year, became soon apparent to the visitor upon entering the grounds, and it was most gratifying to note that the increase was general.
The number of people on the grounds in the afternoon was estimated at from 2000 to 2500; the exact number, however could not be accurately given, by reason of the turnstile getting out of order early in the day.
From the sale of tickets, which realized $411, and the number of exhibitors’ and complementary tickets issued, something over 2000 admissions could be accounted for; but it is alleged that a large number found their way into the grounds by other than legitimate means.
1906
Our annual Fair—rendered especially memorable this year as marking the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of an agricultural society in the County of Pontiac—was favored with exceptionally fine weather during the three days on which it was held; and, we do not think any complaint should be forthcoming on the score of attendance. True, the last day was somewhat of a disappointment, as people here have grown accustomed to see the biggest crowds at the tail-end of the show. But taking the gross receipts as a basis of observation, the event in this respect at least materially out-distanced all previous efforts of the society.
In view, however, of the large expenditure the directors were at this year in the erection of new buildings, etc., it was not too much to hope, that members, and in fact all interested in agricultural matters in the district, should have put forth a strenuous effort
When the judges got through with their duties on Tuesday afternoon, the crowd was entertained with a “Farmer’s” race and a running race; also a baseball match.
The gate receipts of the two days amounted to a fraction over $750.00.
The experiment of running the new dining hall as a society affair, did not result in much of a success financially, on account of sundry drawbacks which the directors in charge had to contend with.
Everyone seems to think that a grandstand is something very badly needed on the grounds, and that, if one were built it would give a good revenue.
1916
Shawville Fair for the year of grace 1916 has passed into history and no doubt will be looked back to by a good many as an event which fell short in some respects of those which preceded it in recent years.
Whilst it is scarcely the mission of THE EQUITY to supply a reason for the undoubted discrepancy, it may be stated in the first place that unfavorable weather had considerable to do with the perceptible shrinkage in the attendance. Wretched weather prevailed during the first afternoon of the Fair proper, compelling people to seek shelter wherever obtainable.
The cattle department was well filled with a fine exhibit, but if, say, six or seven exhibitors had sulked and remained at home with their herds, the show would have been a dreary failure. It takes people with the goods who are enthusiastic to make a Fair boom.
Progress in sheep-raising was manifest in the new building set apart for the housing of this class of farm stock, the raising of which has been given a great impetus, by the high prices commanded for both mutton and wool. The herds shown gave evidence that our farmers are rising to the needs of the situation, which gives such promise of material benefit to themselves.
The attendance for the two days as represented by the amount realized at the gate, was slightly better than last year as the figures below indicate:
Total admissions 1915 – $737.60
Total admissions 1916 – $749.00
Several refreshment booths provided all the requirements which come under that head, one of the number being presided over by the ladies of the Shawville Homemakers’ Club.
A few harmless games of chance were in operation on the last day, and provided some amusement for those who were out to spend a few nickels to have a good time.
1925
The 60th milestone in the history of Agr. Society No. 1, was passed last week when the Exhibition of 1925 came to a close, with a record of exceptionally fine weather, and the smallest attendance for many years, if the writer’s memory is not greatly at fault. This is not to be wondered at when it is considered that most of the farmers of the district were in the thickest of their harvest, and had little time—in fact in most cases were not ready—to prepare exhibits, much less attend the Fair itself.
Even under these conditions, however, there was an increased number of exhibitors over last year, and many more entries in some classes, while in others there was a decided shrinkage, the exhibit of grain furnishing a notable example.
There was a splendid exhibit of cattle comprising Shorthorns, Holsteins and Ayrshires, the latter predominating; there was also a small class of Jerseys. These herds for the most part were in splendid condition, and, we learn, all animals shown in the cattle barn had passed the tuberculin test.
The attractions in the show ring were much of the nature of former years—fancy driving and riding, hurdle-leaping, pony exhibitions, including a dog and pony race, put on by the Campbell boys, of Wyman, and produced the most amusing feature of the Show.
The grounds, hall and other buildings had the advantage of being lit up by the Ottawa River Power Co’s service, recently installed in Shawville, and which thus far has given eminent satisfaction.
1936
The common phrase, “better and bigger than ever” can be honestly and properly used to briefly describe Pontiac’s greatest event—the Shawville Fair—held on Friday and Saturday of last week under the auspices of Pontiac’s Agricultural Society No. 1.
Lady Luck or Dame Fortune smiled upon this year’s show as ideal weather prevailed for the entire program, which was preceded and followed by most disagreeable elements for such an event, torrents of rain falling on Thursday, (preparation day) and on Sunday.
Attendance on both days exceeded by far the record of past years and included, probably, the greatest number of former residents of Shawville and vicinity ever attending the Fair. The presence of so many “old timers” was certainly a sign of the concern and interest which many former Pontiacers have for the old show, now closing its 80th year.
1944
Although the weather was much too chilly for an outdoor event to be said that the 88th annual exhibition of Pontiac Agricultural Society, No. 1. commonly known as Shawville Fair, held during the past week, surpassed all previous records in point of attendance and livestock exhibits.
Long before the actual opening of the Fair on Friday—School day—a large number of people arrived in town, and the majority of these were former residents of the Eastern section of the county, who had come especially to meet old friends, and a great many acquaintances were renewed as will be seen in the personal column of this issue, many coming from long distances. Some, no doubt, came to the village to see the damage caused by the tornado on Thursday afternoon.
School children did not have to wait for the extensive midway to set up as in former years, various rides and attractions of Daniel’s Greater Shows having been set up and in operation early in the week.
The Fair enjoyed a record-breaking patronage for both Friday and Saturday’s show as did also the night show on Friday, when the largest exhibit of livestock ever displayed in the Ottawa Valley entered the ring. The cattle parade was so large that some animals had to be left in the barns. There was an exceptionally fine display of light horses, and the writer doubts if any of the National Fairs ever had a finer exhibit of Agricultural horses.
1956
Mayor Emmerson Cotie presented the Key to the Village of Shawville to The Honorable Gaspard Fauteaux, Lt. Governor of the Province of Quebec; the largest crowd ever to assemble on and around the grandstand stood to attention while The Queen was played on the bagpipes; Mrs. Jas. Riley, 106, was driven in a white convertible to cut the ribbon; Vertal (Pres.) Smiley donned his horn rims to read welcoming messages over the microphones from CHOV, CFRA, CBC, and the local PA system; Frank Ryan conducted the program in his usual expeditious and friendly manner; Hugh Proudfoot MP and Ray Johnston MPP congratulated the Pontiac Agricultural Societies of today and yesterday and the Shawville Centennial Fair was “on”.
Already, on Thursday afternoon, the Pontiac races had been run and many children had been enjoying the free admission of children’s day but it wasn’t until the Lt. Governor had given his keynote address that the Fair was officially opened.
1966
Shawville’s one hundred and tenth annual Fall Fair was the biggest and best yet. Having rebuilt the underpinnings of the grandstand, the directors then felt justified in providing one great show after another for grandstand sitters to enjoy. The weather was the sort which invited outdoor sitting and even on Friday afternoon when a few sprinkles of rain came down, those on the covered bleachers were dry and comfortable.
The overall attendance at the Fair this year is impossible to estimate. One of the Ottawa papers says it was 12,000, the other says it was 14,000 but neither of those newspapers saw the numbers of entire families who came to the Fair by way of the railroad fence without benefit of admission cards. It only cost 75 cents to get in and a quarter for children but there are always hundreds of people who prefer to chance a little barbed wire rip than pay the entrance fee. Taking these into consideration and the hundreds of exhibitors and their families and friends who come in on trucks, spend the night in the barns, carry in exhibits and come in on horseback—the actual attendance was, as it always is, inestimable.
Anyhow, everyone who came had a grand and glorious time and try as they might, the 1967 Directors will have a hard time if they hope to top last week’s effort.
1976
The one section of Shawville Fair this year which had more entries than any other was the Light Horse Section. Co-chairmen Yvon and Stella Fauvelle were swamped with a total of 92 entries but managed to carry out their program as planned without a hitch out of place.
Early entries from the many exhibitors made their job possible and the co-operation of all competitors also helped. Steward, Lucille Hodgins, was only called upon twice for decisions and both times the matter was cleared up in minutes to everyone’s satisfaction.
The tractor draw Thursday night and the Teen Dance to the orchestra of Billy Rowat were both great successes and largely attended. The Friday night official opening had a larger audience that for a number of years and also was carried on without interruption and without any undue delays. The Saturday night dance was another great success and the Sunday evening variety concert was held before an overflow audience. The familiar Rothmans Caravan wasn’t available for the Fair this year but the O’Keefe Caravan manned by Oneil Duquette was here providing the public address system on the grounds.
Revenues at the Fair this year at the gate came to $14,129, about $1500 less than last year which could have been caused by consistent radio forecasts of rain.
Generally speaking this year’s Shawville Fair was successful. The weather held to perfection during the weekend despite predictions.
