| Early
in Lambton's history, fairs played an important role. They
provided an opportunity to visit friends and family, to catch up on
local gossip, and to buy and sell produce and livestock. Even
today, although they have become much commercialized, Lambton fairs are
steeped in tradition and are held may of the same reasons the early
pioneers held them.
The first
county fair held in Lambton was in Wyoming, in 1846, when it was known
as the Plymton Agricultural Fair. It was renamed the Plymton and
Wyoming Agricultural Society, on Feb. 22, 1907. The first fair was
held on the farm of John Fisher, in Plymton Township. The fair
received a new home in 1907 when it was moved to Thames Street in
Wyoming.
The next,
and perhaps biggest of all the fairs in Lambton, to be established is
the Brigden Fair. Established in 1850, this fair has been every
Thanksgiving weekend and signifies the close of fair season in the
region. The first Brigden Fair was held on Riley's Farm, in Moore.
Three
other fairs that made their debut in Lambton County were the Thedford
Fair, in 1859; the Florence Fair, in 1863; and the Alvinston Fair, in
1867.
In 1870,
Forest held its first fair at the corners of Broadway and Main Streets.
Eventually, the fair moved into the old Armouries. It is still
housed there today, with the addition of many newer buildings.
It's felt
the Alvinston-Brooke Fair was established around 1870 although records
are sketchy. The grounds were purchased in 1885. These were
given to the township in the 1970's. In 1977, the
Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood complex was built.
In 1876,
Petrolia added its own fair to the growing list. It was disbanded
in 1933 and subsequently revived, with return of prosperous times, in
1946.
Last but
not least, Sombra established a fair in 1900, just in time for the turn
of the century.
All of
these fairs each lend their own distinct contribution to the
agricultural and rural communities of Lambton County.
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County of Lambton, 150th Sesqui-Centennial |
