SC Rewind: Fun At The Fair

In this week's 'Rewind' column, Robert Smith recalls the timeless joy of attending a fall fair. Fairs which traditionally included harness racing, date back to colonial times but still contain traces of their original format which centres on family fun and the enjoyment of getting together. His piece includes a number of great old photos all taken during a fair at various spots around the country.

An old time fair scene taken at Victoria Park in Owen Sound, Ont. (Reprinted with permission from The Grey Roots Archival Collection)

With a hint of fall in the air and the month of September showing on the calendar, it's hard not to think a bit about fall fair time. I know this is not a new topic on 'Rewind' but it has always been a favourite of mine and one I enjoy revisiting from time to time. It is amazing with all of the changes that we have seen, particularly in recent years, that fairs continue to be a popular pastime for young and old alike. Unfortunately virtually all of them no longer feature harness racing as they once did but we can still reminisce.

Fairs and fall festivals tend to recall a slower and simpler time when more people lived on farms and in rural communities. They were originally intended as a sort of celebration at harvest time when people exhibited their best farm produce and showed the finest of their livestock. It was combined with the sharing of food and served as a time for families and friends to gather together relax a bit and enjoy the season. It is surprising that most fairs to this day rely mainly on volunteers to keep them going.

I can recall as a very young child (and that was a while ago) that when fair time came to our small town of Harrow, Ont., it was the highlight of the year for many. Although it changed its timing to Labour Day weekend in later years, it was originally held in October. Each year on Thursday of fair week which was opening day, each of the schools in the community assembled shortly after noon and we marched into the fairgrounds. If memory serves me correctly there were about 14 schools in total, most of the old one-room variety. A judging was held for the best dressed and most orderly school group and I suppose a ribbon or a small trophy was presented. We practiced for several hours during the weeks before the big day and were told that our best behaviour was very important if we planned to succeed. Funny but I don't recall winning many marching prizes!

Once the parade was completed we were granted our freedom; each happy child headed for the midway or wherever their interests led them. For many it was one of the few days of the year spent in the town and away from their small rural community. In those days, a dime or a quarter went a long way. It was also a time to look at farm machinery, watch the heavy horses in action and stroll through the livestock and poultry barns. The aroma of fried onions and hot dogs invited 'starving' fair goers to satisfy their hunger, washed down with a bottle of pop. I can vaguely remember seeing the traditional taffy pull on Saturday evening and how entertaining it was. If you don't remember it I doubt that I can properly explain it. I do know the taffy sticks were a treat and many people took a batch home to enjoy at a later time. The fair visit wasn't official until you had some cotton candy!

While our fair at one time included harness racing it was discontinued long before my time. I heard tales from oldtimers and saw where the track once was and also remember the location of the old backstretch stable. I did get to ride around the old very narrow track with my father's trainer, Benny Larocque when he often used a cutter during snowy days. Most fairs of any size featured harness racing. The small fairs had it just for one day while the larger spots may have presented it on as many as three afternoons. It was not unusual back then for the same horse to race each day, and go several heats!

Above is an old silver cup awarded to the winner of a harness racing event at the Harrow Fair dated 1937. This oldie was given to me many years ago by members of the Harold Wellwood family. It was won by one of their early horses when fair racing was very popular. According to old records from The Harrow Fair which just recently held their 164th annual event, harness racing was indeed once a very popular attraction. Around 1902 a new track was constructed and involved the help of many volunteers. Once completed it was considered one of the best in the area. I can recall my father talking about how ahead of its time it was as the track record was around the 2:00 mark. Thankfully he did usually include the disclaimer that the track was somewhat short of a half-mile.

Fair racing was not without its stories and I will share one that I heard many years ago. Reportedly a man from Eastern Ontario arrived at a fair well out of his home area; perhaps at Owen Sound. He brought several more horses than he planned to race but had hopes of selling a few. One trotter caught the eye of a local so he began to ask this man a few questions. The answer given was that the youngster was indeed for sale but had not been sufficiently trained to go a "fast" mile. As a compromise he said that he would go a short distance, say a fast quarter and he could make up his mind.

That evening after everyone had vacated the fairgrounds the man from Eastern Ontario went out in the dark of night, dug up the quarter pole and moved it up the track several feet. Just how the training exhibition went and whether a sale followed I do not know. As my late father used to say when asked for details beyond those provided he used to simply say, "The story didn't tell...."

Agricultural based fairs have been around for a very long time and thankfully they appear to still have a meaningful place in our modern day world. If you have happy memories of going to a fair you are not alone.

Shown below are a number of old fair scenes, each with a short commentary.

Garfield Case and Ralph Snelgrove report live on radio station CFOS in Owen Sound. Flanked by a full grandstand three unidentified youngsters proudly display their prizes won at the Owen Sound Fair. The young boy on the left holding the radio looks pretty happy and the gal in the middle got a pretty nice bike. (Reprinted with permission from The Grey Roots Archival Collection)

A scene from London's Western Fair as exhibitors show a large group of heavy horses on the racetrack. This photo was taken around 1920 at a time when nearly everyone was still farming with heavy horses.

Quebec's oldest fair is held annually at LaChute. It was once the scene of many race days which drew entrants from both Quebec and neighbouring Ontario.

This old photo was taken at a fair in Maine but it looks a lot like fair racing that took place across the land at one time. (Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center)

Chariot races have often been held at fall fairs such as the scene above taken some 40 years ago at the Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe, Ont. I have witnessed chariot racing first hand and it looked pretty dangerous to me. Those fellows have to be beyond brave.

The above photo from 1968 shows a fair parade at the Town of Orono. For many years harness racing was a major attraction at this quaint location. A number of well known horse people originated in this area located east of Toronto (Courtesy of Orono Weekly)

Who Is It?

?

Can you identify this driver? The photo was taken during a rather muddy race day showing a typical fair background. (D.M. Smith)

Bonus Photo - Where Is It?

?

Can you identify the location of this photograph which involved fair racing for many years? Looks a little muddy. (D.M. Smith)