The fall fair
enjoys long,
proud history

IT’S YEAR number 27 for the the Skeena Valley Fall Fair
this weekend, ;

But the event’s origins date back much farther.

The first fair is believed to have taken place in 1916.

That was five years after the townsile of Terrace was laid
oul and settlement began.

The name of the sponsoring group was the Terrace and
District, Agriculture Fall Fair Association. They were
backed by the women’s auxilliary of. the Kitsumgalum
Farmers’ Institute and ils Women’s Auxilliary.

The first displays took place in Progress Hall — a
strucutre that once occupied the Jot just lo the eas! of Twin
City Meats. ;

By 1920, the fall fair was a big one-day event, drawing
entries from as far east as Cedarvale.

Terrace and the Skeena Valley was a prominent agricul-
tural area because of its warm microclimate that made or-
chards and fruit cultivation possible.

Produce from Terrace reigned supreme at an early fair in
Prince Rupert because gardening in the coastal city was
difficult due to ils peat, rock and fewer days of sunshine.

Before long the Terrace fair expanded to include arts and
crafts.

School children were encouraged throughout the year to
prepare posters and drawings. Prizes were usually ribbons.

The fall fair organization remained active until around
1960,

Tn that year, the first Logger Sparts competitions were
held. They took place some distance from the fall fair site
and caused a drop in interest in the fair. ;

Logger Sports was heavily backed by Columbia Cel-
lulose, the first large scale forest products company in the
area,

The first such event was held at Riverside Park and for a
lime rivalled the PNE’s Logger Sports.

Logger Sports here was discontinued in 1978 due to a
number of factors.

Fall fair interest was rekindled in 1970, but a fire
destroyed the Lower Little Park community centre that
summer. The event was shifted to the curling rink that
year, and moved to various other venues uniil the Thorm-
hill Community Centre was in place.

After an absence of 12 years, Logger Sports returned in
1990,

Altendance over the Labour Day weekend rose sharply,
and the fair has been increasing in size ever since.

suanetistreti

meds eka mn te
yo agar nonaem oun Ss”

Stop by our booth at the Skeena
Valley Fall Fair and take advan-

tage of the special offer there.
Talk to the Northwest Gardener.

Fated ratoaon

whe oye .
abe SO CRCCS LT he ow Pen

ata