Transcript
Centennial Fair Programme Brings Back Fond Memories I have in my possession a pristine copy of the 1950 Erin Fall Fair Programme, the year of their Centennial. It’s a beautiful 116-page booklet bound in a sturdy Shamrock green cover. In the mid 1900’s the fair was listed as two days – Saturday and Thanksgiving Monday. The President that year was Elmer McKinnon with George Burt the Secretary-Treasurer. I was eight years old in 1950. That was the year that a new bandstand was erected in the fairgrounds. The Guelph Pipe Band and the Hillsburgh Brass Band were featured performers on its stage. The Hon. T. L. Kennedy, Ontario Minister of Agriculture at the time and a former star for the Toronto Maple Leafs officially opened the fair and dedicated the new bandstand to the Agricultural Society. Sadly the bandstand has since deteriorated and is no longer part of the fair. Like this year’s programme the book lists the many classes and categories that one could enter for the fair. Class 33 for ‘Public School Children’ had 49 different categories, each with cash prizes. #43 – Under ‘Woodwork and Crafts’ – Any article made from orange crates (remember them) could win the builder anywhere from 25 cents to $1.00, a good amount for a youngster in those days. What I really enjoyed perusing through the programme were the many advertisements. It gave a virtual history of the different local merchants of the time, many of which I still remember today. There was P. J. Sinclair “Shur-Gain Feed Service” of Erin, advertising coal, coke (the kind you burn), grain, flour and feed. If I remember correctly P. J. started the craze of wearing one’s hat at an awkward tilt. Bert Kribs of Hillsburgh was the proprietor of The Hillsburgh Mill that also sold Shur-Gain products and grain as well as fertilizers, builder’s supplies and sawing. There was McConnell & McFee from Hillsburgh advertising hardware, coal, electric goods and those wonderful Coleman space heaters. Many of us remember having one in our homes to keep us warm, particularly when the power went out. They were a bit smelly but could put out a good heat. Meehan’s Grocery of Erin bragged “The finest selection of choice quality foods at the lowest possible prices. Our courteous service makes shopping a pleasure.” I remember going there on many an occasion for most of our staples. Austin Fines, my late uncle, advertised Filter Queen Vacuum Cleaners. I know we had a Filter Queen in our house, as did many others in our community. I remember one of Austin’s demonstrations with the machine had the vacuum sucking up large steel ball bearings to show off their power. Austin’s wife, Bertha, known affectionately to me as “Aunt Bert” still resides in Hillsburgh. L. (Larry) MacKenzie advertised plumbing, heating, tinsmithing, eavestroughing and roofing. He did it all. My late brother Jack and my brother Doug, who now lives in B.C., learned their trade
from Larry. My brother-in-law, Lyle Reid, also worked for him for a time. Larry is a former Reeve of Erin Village. He and his wife Jean still reside in the Village. The list goes on and on. There was Ted Glitz of the Erin Pool Room; N. W. Sutherland, a jeweller in Erin; the Shamrock Shop that sold clothing for women and children; Jerome Hunter, general contractor; Bush Hardware; Bell’s Hardware; Barbour’s Groceteria; Matt McDougall Trucking; Winters’ Garage, Dick Matson, the local blacksmith and Carney Bros. Motors. Yes in 1950 one could buy a brand new Dodge or DeSoto automobile right here in Erin. Some of the advertisers in the booklet still have a familiar ring today. W. F. McEnery & Son, was an agent for the ‘Pilot Insurance Company’. R. M. Barden was an ‘Allis Chalmers’ dealer. G. T. Tilcox in Hillsburgh was in the haulage business. W. W. Keeler sold Westinghouse products and was an electrical and plumbing contractor as well. D. L. Mundell & Son sold lumber and building supplies. Sound familiar? And of course I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the full-page ad on page 87 of the programme. Steen’s Dairy, still in the same location today, advertised “pasteurized dairy products for refreshment.” The more things change, the more they stay the same. In his remarks near the beginning of the programme President McKinnon said, “This year we are proud to be celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of our Society. On such an occasion we realize the greatness of our responsibility, both in those in whose footsteps we are following, and to those who will carry on from here. On our Board of Honorary Directors are many members who have worked long and faithfully to build up the standards of our fair. To them, and to all others who preceded us in our endeavour, we are extremely grateful. To those who will be taking over this great agricultural effort during the coming century, we are passing a torch – May they hold it high!” Secretary George Burt also had a message that today has a rather profound meaning. “We wish to pay tribute to the many, who have gone before, have paved the way through a century to greater achievements. May this fair continue to be of service to a better agriculture and a freer world.” Well, Mr. McKinnon and Mr. Burt, I’m sad to report that with the events of the past few weeks I’m not sure about a freer world. However you can both rest in peace knowing that the torch you passed is still carried high and burning brightly today. The traditions and excellence founded in the first hundred years of the Erin Fall Fair have continued proudly right into this year as The Agriculture Society celebrates its 151st year, the year of the pumpkin. By Harry Smith.
"Harry Smith, a former resident of the Town of Erin, is a columnist for the Erin Advocate. Some of his weekly articles relating to the Town of Erin are reproduced here."
