This ongoing series from Barrie Historical Archive curator Deb Exel shows old photos from the collection and one from the present day, as well as the story behind them.
The Barrie Exhibition of 1903 promised thrills and attractions never seen before in Simcoe County.
The annual fair was held at the Agricultural Park, a large tract of land in the western half of the block generally between Elizabeth (now Dunlop Street West) and Vespra streets, near the present-day Barrie Fire and Emergency Service headquarters.
The other major parkland areas at the time were nearby Queen’s Park and St. Vincent’s Park in the east end of Barrie.
The Agricultural Park was a year-round space. A rink, built in 1886, was drawing enormous crowds by 1900 to watch Barrie’s new amateur hockey league in action. It was not unusual for more than 1,000 people to gather for the big games.
But this was nothing compared to the throngs who attended the fair.
The annual agricultural-themed exhibition, was the biggest and most popular event of the year, attracting as many as 10,000 people to the town of Barrie.
Since the Barrie fairs of the past were held in the fall, typically at the end of September/early October, weather would influence attendance. The fair of 1903 was held mid-week, Tuesday to Thursday.
Livestock competitions were part of the foundation of the fair, with expert, government-provided judges determining the prize winning horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.
The new stables and other improvements to the grounds in 1901 were said to be the best north of Toronto.
The livestock program also included demonstrations showcasing the killing, plucking and dressing of poultry.
The main building was packed with merchants, manufacturers and displays … 1903 surpassing all previous years in variety and number of exhibitors.
Entertainment was a large part of the excitement of the fair. Several acts — such as the Gregory Family daring aerial artists, Bean and Hamilton world-famous barrel jumpers and acrobats, as well as the world-renowned Gourlay Brothers comedy acrobats — added a circus-like atmosphere to the fair.
The Scottish Trio, attired in traditional dress, featured one of the best women on the bagpipes in North America.
Throughout the three-day event, the 35th Regimental Band performed daily. Off site, the Marks Brothers provided an evening of entertainment at the Opera House.
The Agricultural Park included the best half-mile track in Ontario. When the Barrie Driving Club was formed in 1902, president A.C. Garden declared all races would be held there.
During the fair, Speeding Contests took place daily. The Open Trot paid a $100 purse, the 2.35 Class $75, the 3-Minute Class $60, and the Running Race a $100 purse.
For horses not trained for racing and driven by a farmer or his son, there was the Farmers’ Race. The Open Trot allowed any farmer’s horse to compete.
In our feature image, spectators line the race course to watch the trotters. The Barrie Tanning Company and the West Ward School can be seen in the background.
When the Barrie Collegiate on Blake Street burned, the new Barrie Collegiate Institute was built on Agricultural Park land in 1918, much to the unhappiness of the Barrie Agricultural Society.
When the Agricultural Society gave up more land on Bradford Street in the early 1940s for the new Canadian General Electric plant, they purchased 50 acres in Allandale, the former Dyment stock farm, for their fairgrounds. This is the home of the Barrie Fair that most folks will remember.
The Barrie Fair, which celebrated its 170th year last weekend, is now held at the Essa Agriplex near Thornton.
