SC Rewind: Dominion Day In Strathroy

In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith recalls a small town race day that was held for many years and served as part of the Town of Strathroy's celebration of Dominion Day,  a holiday we now call Canada Day.  The annual race day attracted thousands of attendees for a very long period of time and served as an important part of the area's racing calendar for several decades.  A number of old photographs show the crowds and the variety of activities that made this location so successful and memorable.  

Long before the era of large racetracks and nighttime racing came into vogue, the small towns across the country kept harness racing alive and popular.  Staffed and organized mainly by volunteers, many of them harness racing enthusiasts,  these race days were usually a huge success. The July 1 weekend was a favourite time for summertime racing and several towns across the country took advantage of it.  At Strathroy when July 1 fell on a Sunday it was usually moved to July 2.  

For nearly 50 years the quaint little town of Strathroy, just north of London, Ont., hosted one of Canadian harness racing's best organized and highest class race days. Officially known as "The Dominion Day Picnic" it drew huge crowds every July 1st from across the country and neighbouring border states. It was a time when men dressed in white shirts and ties, ladies wore wide brimmed hats and children clad in knee pants devoured copious amounts of ice cream and soft drinks. It became a day when the little town of 4,500 buzzed with the activity of a big city. 

The above photo was taken at Strathroy on July 1, 1945.  The driver of the leading horse Victory Bars was Harold Berry of St. Marys, Ont.  Second at the rail was Miss Billy Direct (Wilfy Hughes) and on the far outside was Jack E Herbert driven by Bill Herbert.  Other horses and drivers were not identified (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

The first July 1 race day in a long succession was recorded as being held in 1918.   A then young and energetic local farmer from Adelaide Township named Harold Currie came up with the original idea.  In addition to his farming activities he also trained a few horses and in later years stood a horse named Corporal Lee,  a U.S.-bred horse who became quite famous in Ontario by siring a long line of successful horses.  For many years a special race was held at Strathroy for three-year-old pacers and was named after this rather famous local horse.  Part of the race day's special features involved leading Corporal Lee out on the track and introducing him to the crowd.  

In those days when people went out for a family day of enjoyment it often took the form of a picnic;  fast food and catering was not yet in vogue.  Families often brought their own food and beverages and settled in for the day.  Baseball games, foot races and band performances became part of the day's entertainment.  When the whole idea started the racetrack was a bit in disarray but Mr. Currie improved it and the harness racing portion of the day soon became the centerpiece. The track was known for its "fast" miles and over the years quite a few horses took their lifetime marks on the Strathroy oval.  

Despite such a lengthy existence (1918-1964) the Strathroy races were never cancelled due to the weather. On a number of occasions rain played a part by dampening the track and reducing the crowd, but the festivities never had to be called off. However in 1946 however this unblemished record almost came to a halt.  A huge rainstorm that went on for some time prior to the scheduled post time threatened to necessitate a cancellation of the day's races. 

Once the rain had subsided,  track officials assessed that the track was ready and that the day's activities would go on.  The folks on the backstretch thought otherwise and reportedly a group of eight drivers marched to the judge's stand in protest.  Their feeling was that the track was unsafe for racing and that they would not proceed.  As a crowd estimated at 8,000 stood by,  race day organizers devised an impromptu solution.  

An announcement was made over the loudspeaker,  asking for volunteers from the audience to drive their cars around the track in an effort to "dry up" the soggy racing surface.  Apparently the scheme worked and with the aid of "Old Sol" (Roman god of the sun) the track was soon pronounced ready for the day of racing. It was delayed a bit but would go on as planned.  The final heat was not completed until 8:15 but it was still daylight so undoubtedly no one cared.  

Cars are shown circling the Strathroy track in an effort to get it in shape after a rather large rainfall.  Band members can be seen at the far right of the picture.  The year was 1946. (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

After several decades of memorable race days held on July first,  the long running annual show came to an end.  The year 1964 marked the final year that races were held at Strathroy on Dominion Day.  The passing years and the vast changes in the sport had all taken their toll.  In the 1960's, night racing in Ontario, particularly at nearby London, and extended race meets elsewhere eventually spelled the demise of the great Strathroy Picnic.  As owner and driver Wilf Duford and his horse Rocky Senator won the feature race on that final day in 1964 they became a further part of the great history and traditions connected with Strathroy.  All things have a beginning and often, sadly also an end,  Forty-six years is a long time.  

The Whitesell starting gate sends a field away during the 1964 final gathering at Strathroy  (Photo courtesy of Strathroy Age Dispatch) 

Today only memories and old pictures remain as the track was removed many years ago and although the venerable old grandstand stood for several decades as mute testimony to the days of old, it too was eventually demolished. As we reflect on those great years of the Strathroy Dominion Day Picnic and the thousands of people it entertained, it stands as one of the great spectacles of our time.

Photo Gallery From Strathroy 

A view of a huge crowd gathered around the betting area at Strathroy fairgrounds on Dominion Day.  I hope people knew where the line started and ended.  (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

A full grandstand and a standing room only crowd watch the races at Strathroy in this old photo from 1940. (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

Track and field events were part of the Strathroy Picnic festivities at one time.  They were held between races in front of the grandstand. (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

A field of horses pass the Strathroy judge's stand in this 1948 photo. It is interesting to see both the U.S. and Canadian flags are flying.   (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

Quote For The Week: "House guests like fish, begin to smell after three days." -  Benjamin Franklin 

Who Is It? 

Can you identify the legendary horseman who is shown receiving a trophy on race day in 1949.  This gentleman had a long history of racing at the annual Strathroy race day and also lived quite close by.  His descendants have done quite well in the sport I might add.  Interesting to note that his young daughter appears just to his left and son is off to the right (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives) 

Who Else Is It? 

Can you identify this winning driver at the 1960 Strathroy race day? Clarence "Hoot" Gibson, a later year race day official, makes the presentation (Photo courtesy of D.B. Weldon Library London FP archives)