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EcoFest Westport — Doing Better Together - theHumm May 2023 No question about it, these are challenging times. So… how to feel empowered, inspired, hopeful and encouraged? Come and mingle with your neighbors at a celebration of shared values and the “indomitable human spirit”, at the first annual EcoFest Westport — Doing Better Together. This event takes place on Saturday, June 3 from 10am to 4pm at 43 Bedford Street, in front of Soho’s / the Review-Mirror. Westport in Bloom has sponsored a keynote speaker, Sean James. A well-known horticultural designer of beautiful, eco-friendly spaces, Mr. James will get the festivities off to a great start on Friday, June 2 from 7–9pm at the Westport United Church, with his talk entitled “Lawn B gone. Beautiful Alternatives to the Green Desert”. Keeping in mind “local, accessible, innovative, fun and planet-positive”, organizers have invited creative folks, who are passionate about advocating for a healthy planet in a myriad of ways, to gather together. Some categories they identified include On the Water, In the Home, Your Lawn, Soil Regeneration, Food Production, Biodiversity, Young Voices, and Reduce, Reuse, Repair & Repurpose. Many presenters are professionals, others talented and knowledgeable amateurs. Many will have displays, some will offer demonstrations, samples and hands-on activities, and yet others will give short TED-style talks, workshops or Q&As. And, of course, there will be products for sale. Here are some examples, just to wet your whistle! Workshops and topics include “Water is Life”, toiletries and cleaning products, diapers 101, how anglers can help protect wildlife, using hemp in building finishes, “felt a wildflower” workshop, EV Q&A, make a lasagna garden, how to do vermiculture, growing plants for pollinators, how to hugelkultur, fermenting foods, multi-media art workshop, heritage seeds, make a seed bomb, fungal dominant compost, greening the holidays, energy efficient refrigeration for businesses, the future (and present) of sustainable home design and building, nature-based play, heating alternatives, electric boats, soil restoration, CO2 sequestration and plant nutrition, herbalism and foraging, naturalizing shorelines, invasive species, lake health, watersheds, The Youth Climate Action Summit, fish, how to build your own turtle nest protector box, and getting to know native plants. Mireille LaPointe honours us by making the Opening Welcome at 10am and later sharing her thoughts on Water is Life. Come by the Better Together Circle’s table to check out the schedules and plan the talks and workshops you wish to attend. Capture the EcoWalking Tour Map of Westport and area on your phone for a walkabout. Then take a tour of the displays and make sure you and your children take in the Playzone for the nature-based activities that will be on-site. Organizers are grateful for the financial support of Westport in Bloom, Westport Lions Club, St. Luke’s Leeds Anglican Church, Elgin, and the presenters. EcoFest Westport is being organized by the Better Together Circle and friends. They are part of a caring community who want to learn, discuss and grow together. They plan community events focused on Truth and Reconciliation, sustainability, environmental issues and climate change. If you wish to find out more, or support this event by donation or volunteering your time, please contact them at bettertogethercircle@gmail.com May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. — Nelson Mandela      

1854   Leeds and Grenville County Council passes a resolution granting the founding of our agricultural societies within the two counties. The Township of Edwardsburg Agricultural Society is formed. 1855   The first fair is held on the south side of the Nation River on property settled by David Spencer. 1856   The fair moves to the Town Plot which was donated to the Society by Mrs. Marcy Fairbairn, daughter of David Spencer. 1859   The fourth annual show is held on the Town Plot on Tuesday, October 11th. Admission to the fair for non-members is 10 cents. Members may enter any of the 10 classes available - Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Grain, Potatoes, Roots, Butter and Cheese, Seeds, and Carriages. Prize money totals $128.50 1862   Admission is raised to 12 ½ cents for the October 14th fair. Two additional classes are introduced – Boots and Shoes, and Ladies Department. 1867   The Township of Edwardsburg Agricultural Society, in its annual report to the province, numbers its membership at 83, paying a total subscription of $148.59. Admission receipts to the grounds total $23.53. The year 1867 is profitable for the Society, reporting a substantial $630.40 in income, with $342.28 being provincial grant money. The balance left in the coffers is a nominal $14.82. 1873   For several years, the members of the board had petitioned the counties council for a grant. In 1873, the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville grant the Society the sum of $100. 1877 - 1878   A delegation from Toronto visits the fair to study the handling of exhibits and the allotting of prize money. This results in the founding of Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition in 1879. 1884   The fair is held as a two-day event in October. The second day is dedicated to games and sports. Admission is increased to 15 cents. 1888   A major shuffle in the directorship of fair occurs. George Martin is elected President. 1890   On October 30th, the secretary is authorized to lease ground adjoining the Town Hall from the trustees of the Spencerville and Ventnor Presbyterian Churches for $15 for 10 years. Thomas Bennett also rents a piece of land to the Society for $50, used for the construction of the race track. 1891   A fence is built around the race track. Gate receipts increase to $500 with the introduction of horse racing at the fair. 1892   Fancy. Work, Vegetables, Apples and Flowers are exhibited in the Town Hall. Cattle are tied to posts inside the track and pens are set up for sheep. Dinner at the hotel is 25 cents per person. 1894   Ayrshire and Jersey cattle become separate categories. The races are postponed until Tuesday, October 16 th, because of weather. 1897   The prize list drops its poster format, becoming a booklet which costs one cent to mail to members. Entries are opened to residents outside of Edwardsburgh Township. 1908   The fair’s first grandstand is purchased from the community of Iroquois. Ralph Burchel of Hainsville is contracted to move it to Spencerville. It is dismantled, hauled to Spencerville by horses and wagons, and then reassembled. 1909   The fair is held Tuesday, September 28 and Wednesday, September 29. Special attractions are held in the show ring opposite the grandstand. Music is provided by the Spencerville Band in the Town Hall. Rates on the Canadian Pacific Railway are reduced for those going to the fair by train. 1912   Land purchased from Dr. S.C. McLean, allows expansion of the race track to a half-mile. 1914-1918   The First World War — Fairgrounds are used for training purposes. Soldiers are billeted in the hotel at the southwest corner of Spencer and Centre Streets, owned by Creswell Johnston. On October 4th, 1917, the local paper reports that the category of “patriotic sofa pillow” had been won by Mrs. John Duffield. 1918   Influenza epidemic scare grips the entire country. 1930s   The Depression Years — Spencerville Fair survives the Thirties relatively well. Musical bands, like the Glengarry Pipe Band, perform shows on the Wednesday afternoons, and horse races are popular evening events. Local concerts and comedy acts, followed by dances, also take place. Admission is decreased to 10 cents. The timing for the annual exhibition becomes more structured. The fair is now customarily held “the last Tuesday and Wednesday of September.” 1935   Still a favourite, the Spencerville Fair Baby Show makes its first appearance. Over the next 70 years, the competition sees innumerable future Edwardsburgh luminaries paraded in their diapers. 1937   The fair board’s name is officially changed from the Township of Edwardsburg Agricultural Society to the Spencerville Agricultural Society. The fair is held one week earlier than usual, so as not to interfere with the official nomination day for the upcoming Ontario provincial election. A false report of an Infantile Paralysis Epidemic outbreak almost closes the fair. No cases are found within the township and the fair goes on as scheduled. Haimish MacCleod, the Grenville County agricultural representative, plays a pivotal role in the introduction of the 4-H Calf, Swine & Forestry Club Shows. In its first year, six members complete the first 4-H Calf Club project. Dr. P.A. MacIntosh is responsible for looking over the contestants in the recently introduced Baby Show. A special prize for the boy /girl with the most freckles is awarded. 1939   Heavy rains cause some of the activities to be cancelled at fair time. The Black and White Show is introduced. 1939-1945   The Second World War — In the years prior to the Second World War, the IV Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, a regiment of the 4th Hussars of Canada Cavalry, put on riding displays at the Spencerville Fair. During the war years, shortages curtail many of the activities but the fair goes on. 1945   Rain postpones the fair for a week. 1947   The Township Hall burns on Sept. 14th, but the fair goes on as scheduled on the 16th and 17th. The fair office moves to the basement of the United Church and the ladies’ work moves into a section of the poultry building. 1952   There is concern at the fair following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease amongst Canada’s cattle. In response to a growing need for space, the fair board purchases the Spencerville United Church drive shed and relocates some of their displays from the overcrowded Town Hall. The acquisition of the shed and its conversion into a showplace for junior work, as well as a number of commercial booths, contributes to the fair’s changing look. The poultry building is moved to a new site where it is more appropriately grouped with other exhibits of livestock. The building is relocated near the cattle and horse sheds and stalls, northwest of the grandstand. 1955   Happy 100th Birthday! — The 100th anniversary of the fair is celebrated in grand style. The CBC radio program, Neighbourly News, is broadcast live from the upper auditorium of the Township Hall on Sunday, September 11; many local personalities take part. In their over-90 segment, the radio broadcast makes special mention of Kemptville resident, Miss Kate Archibald, a judge at fair for over 40 years. Dr. A.M. Barr, Principal of Kemptville Agricultural School, on behalf of the Ontario Department of Agriculture, cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new entrance gates. A commemorative plaque is unveiled on the north gate. The landmark fair wraps up with the Prescott Pipe Band leading the Junior 4-H Horse, Pony and Cattle Clubs past a packed grandstand. The judges’ stand uses a public address system for the first time. 1956   Fire destroys the grandstands during the summer of 1956. Bill Burns of Spencerville is contracted with their rebuilding. 1957   It is decided that the two-day fair will now be held on “the second Friday and Saturday of September”. 1965   On land donated by the Spencerville Agricultural Society, the community gets an early start on their Centennial project. The look of the fair grounds is forever changed with the building of the Edwardsburg Community Centre. The Society’s first Saturday Night Horse Show is held in the newly built structure. 1966   Beryl Bruce becomes the first female President of the Spencerville Agricultural Society. 1967   Canada celebrates its Centennial! The Fair expands to three days. The Extra Centennial Day allows the Society to host a Field Day for the children. The Saturday Parade – now a much-anticipated event – appears. Ventnor’s Women’s Institute members win third prize for their Centennial Float at the Spencerville Fair. A Centennial project, the Edwardsburg Community Centre is officially dedicated in January. Involved in the official ribbon cutting ceremony are Herman E. Baker, Mrs. Jean Wadds, Hon. James Auld, and Earl Connell. 1968   On February 5th, the Society purchases the old Spencerville Public School ( Lot 26) for $2,000.00. It will serve as an exhibit building until 1973, when the building is subsequently sold to Irving Hogan. The Mammoth Pumpkin Contest is introduced to the fair. Roger Weir brings home the ribbon with his 120 ¾ lbs. entry. 1969   Spencerville qualifies as a Class “B” fair, making it eligible for federal grants. 1970   The former United Church drive sheds are moved to the west side of the race track and converted into the current Cattle Barn. The Poultry Barn makes it permanent home in its current location. 1971   Exhibit Hall #1 is constructed by volunteers of the fair. 1972   The sum of $10,000 is given out in prize money at the fair. 1973   A second exhibition structure, Exhibit Hall #2, is built to house the burgeoning handicrafts. 1976   The Hon. John Diefenbaker, age 80, officially opens the Spencerville Fair. 1977   The Goat Competition is added to the list of events. The first winner of the Royal Bank of Canada Silver Tray is Danny Bedley of Kars. 1978   Members of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church sell their cookbook Grandmother, Mother ‘n Me at the fair. 1979   The Queen of the Fair pageant begins, with the first title being

May 10th, 2023.

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April 5th, 2023.

JP speaks with Brad Lyons of Oceanship on March 29th, 2023. You can hear more of Brad's music on Rideau Lakes Radio. 

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