Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
The Ilderton Agricultural Society - A Brief History
The Ilderton Agricultural Society had its beginnings in the former London Township. On January 29, 1851, the people of London Township gathered to organise a township agricultural society within the County of Middlesex Agricultural Society. Those in attendance at the first meeting of The London Township Branch Agricultural Society gave membership privileges to London Township residents as well as the “Townships of Williams and Lobo” for a fee of five shillings. The first meeting of the officers and committee was on June 10, 1851. At that meeting, a committee was established to draft a constitution for the new society. That was formally adopted on March 30, 1852. The constitution contained articles such as:
- The objects of the society shall be the information and improvement of agriculture generally in the said township; 2. Semi-annual fairs to be held in the months of April and September on such days and places as the directors shall appoint; and 3. Directors shall meet at least twice a year on the third Tuesday in January and the third Tuesday in August.
In the beginning there were two shows per year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The first Fall Fair was held September 30, 1851 at James Goulding’s Inn. For the London Township Agricultural Society, the Fall show usually was held in late September or early October on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday. The Society was careful not to schedule the fair on a date that a neighbouring society had already chosen. In 2003, the Fair became a three-day fair from Friday to Sunday.
The purpose of the Spring Fair was to encourage the importation and better breeding of livestock. By 1902, prize money was being offered again. The interest in the Spring show was waning. Consequently, cattle classes were dropped in 1904, thus limiting the show to heavy and light horses. In 1906, a resolution to re-instate a class for bulls was defeated. In 1917, the Spring Fair discontinued.
Throughout its history, the London Township Agricultural Society and then the Ilderton Agricultural Society, called the fair, “the Fall Fair” stemming from its Fall show roots. That name continues on the prize list today.
The early fairs were primarily agricultural exhibitions. Therefore, midways had no role in the fair. In 1887, the rules were amended that “All fairs and games of chance be excluded from the grounds and vicinity on the day of the show.” J. H. Hodgins and F. Paisley had “to clear the above from the grounds on the day of the fair”. This suggests that these people were certainly on the grounds before and after the show. Although there may not have been an official midway and concessions advertised in the prize book until 1974, a ferris-wheel and other rides were on the fairgrounds in the 1950s. Today, the midway is an extremely popular event.
Foot racing and horse racing were allowed in the 1890 fair. Racing of horses and/or ponies continued to 1980. Foot racing took on several forms over the years, from adults to school children competing. and likewise ended in 1980.
The Ilderton Fall Fair retains many of the same classes as it did in 1851. There remains dairy, beef, swine and sheep competitions, but all are mainly 4-H exhibits. In Grains, Roots and Fruits, local quality is on display. Seed company signs are prominently displayed on first prize exhibits. As the Fair has evolved over the past 173 years, it still fulfills its mandate for the improvement of livestock and grain quality, but just in a different way.
The Homecraft Division of the Ilderton Agricultural Society had a rocky beginning. Women directors were not officially directors but served as committee members. At the first Fall Fair in 1851, there was a Ladies’ Work section that included Knitwork, Needlework, and Domestic Cloth. Listed winners were male but the judges were women in both the Dairy Products section and the Ladies’ Work. The first mention of a committee for handcraft and/or food interests, was made at a directors’ meeting on March 12, 1881 – to look after subscriptions and manage the ladies’ department. Until 1944 or 1945, women were not directors of the London Township Agricultural Society. They were always part of the “Ladies’ Work Committee”. In 1952, the name changed to the Ladies’ Department. The Homecraft Division commenced having its own executive in 1952. In 1961, for the first time, the Ladies’ Department had a separate designation equal to the officers of the fair in the prize book. They were no longer considered one committee but a division of the fair that represented many committees including handwork, food and school work. That structure remained in place until 2022 when Homecraft became part of the total fair administration.
The Fair Parade is a popular event as crowds line Main Street to catch a glimpse. The Parade had its beginning with local schools. In 1930, the parade of school children from London and Lobo Townships began. It started at one o’clock at ‘Carter and Hutchinson’s Store’ and marched to the fairgrounds. Each school had to carry a banner or badge. Prizes were awarded for the best marching dress and deportment. In 1944, the schools were divided into large schools and small schools for judging purposes. By 1968, Biddulph Township schools were invited to join the school parade. The schools now were required to line up before the grandstand while the National Anthem was sung and flag raised. Medway High School Band first appeared in 1968. The school parade became one of the highlights of the fair and continued until 1974. In 1975, the Uniformed Youth Organization Parade including Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Guides replaced the former school parade. In 1966, floats became part of the parade. Ilderton Fair and local dignitaries have become participants in the parade. The parade takes well over an hour to pass any point on the route. The parade is just a sample of all happenings of the fair - the special events, the agricultural and homecrafts displays, the midway…. There is something for everyone!
Such a brief history of the Ilderton Fair cannot begin to tell the evolution of the Fair. A short history cannot tell the number of volunteer hours that make this Fair a success. A short history cannot tell how this Fair binds a community together. One needs to come and experience all the sights, sounds and smells of the Fair! It is a memorable experience that needs to be repeated yearly. “See ya at the Fair!”
This history is based on the book, “Rain, Shine or Snow”, a history of the Ilderton Fall Fair. The records for the Ilderton Agricultural Society as well as this book maybe found in the Middlesex Centre Archives.
