Largest family in the 1973 Rodney Fair

The largest family of the family contest: Mr. and Mrs. Tom Clark and their eight children on September 20, 1973, St. Thomas Times-Journal fonds,C8 Sh3 B1 F11 16b

Rodney Fair

    Agricultural Society

    The Rodney Fair was organized by the Aldborough Agricultural Society, which was formed in 1854. The Society was originally known as the Agricultural Branch Society of the Township of Aldborough.  Its purpose was to promote more herds of cattle within the township.  In order to do this, the Society decided to purchase five bulls from Niagara County.  These were then divided in to the five different sections that made up the township.  The bulls were then offered for service at a low price to both members and non-members of the Society. 

    Origins of the Fair

    The first exhibition was held in October of 1855 in New Glasgow, but there are no records of actual exhibits on display during this exhibition.  In 1865 the Society moved the fair to Old Rodney, using the grounds that were available around Stoddard and Stewart Mill.

    A New Hall for a New Location

    In 1872, the township built a new hall, near the south corner of what is still the fairgrounds today. The hall burnt down in 1915, being replaced with a new building costing $3500 to build.  This new building had many purposes from skating and hockey to gala dances.  It was used until 1976 when it was condemned, being replaced by the existing community centre today.  More land was purchased as years progressed, expanding the fairgrounds, with the Women’s Institute donating funding for the grandstand.  In 1947, the grandstand was moved to the northern part of the fairgrounds and extended by one-third.

    Moving on Up

    The fairground was deeded to Rodney in 1948, with the condition that the Society would have use of the grounds and facilities for the annual fair.  It was not until 1949 that the work done by women was recognized and the Women’s Division was formed. By 1950, field crop competition was added to the list exhibitions.

    By 1985 the Rodney Aldborough Fair moved to the second weekend in September and officially became a three day fair. By the 1990s the Women’s Division, along with the Junior Fair and School Fair amalgamated with the Rodney fair.  The fair celebrated its Sesquicentennial Anniversary (150 years) in 2005.  Today it is under the auspices of the Ontario Association for Agricultural Societies.