From the archives: Woodbridge Agricultural Fair

From the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island, to a farmland community, to a bustling city centre and everything in between – Vaughan's transformation is a story worth telling. The City of Vaughan’s popular monthly series continues, with historical content from Vaughan Archives.

Scroll through memory lane, learn about the city's past and explore the places, people and events that were pivotal to the development of the Vaughan we know today. This month, the City is highlighting the Woodbridge Agricultural Fair. 

For 176 years, the Woodbridge Agricultural Fair has been delighting residents and visitors as a place to come and mark the beginning of harvest season. Since the beginning, the fair has provided an opportunity for farmers to show off their crops, and for attendees to explore a variety of agricultural exhibits, see livestock, try different homemade treats and take part in arts and crafts. 

Originally established in 1847 by the first Reeve (Mayor) of Vaughan Township, John Gamble, the Woodbridge Agricultural Fair was held on the Stegmann Estate in Pine Grove at the intersection of Gamble Street and Islington Avenue.

The following year, the fair was moved to Woodbridge. Until 1885, its location alternated between Woodbridge and Weston until the provincial government passed legislation requiring agricultural fairs to have a permanent location. This led to the fair settling in Woodbridge at 100 Porter Ave. as its permanent home and was officially renamed the Woodbridge Fall Fair. 

In 1890, the Woodbridge Agricultural Society was created to run the annual fair, which has been held over Thanksgiving weekend since 1939. This group continues to run the fair with the help of volunteers and sponsors. 

Today, the Woodbridge Fall Fair sees more than 10,000 visitors each year. Attendees can participate in the Farmer Olympics, explore displays by local businesses and organizations, enjoy performances by local musicians, ride the midway and taste culinary delights. 

The City’s Woodbridge Agricultural Fair fonds include administrative details and information about the operation of the fair. The records cover topics such as the internal organization of the Woodbridge Agricultural Society, funding, publication, membership and specific fair-related events, and a history of the fair. It also includes photographs, postcards, posters and video cassettes.

ABOUT VAUGHAN ARCHIVES

Established in 1988, the City’s Archives is home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City records and cultural records about Vaughan from 1860 to the present day. Records include, but are not limited to:

• City business records with long-term legal and administrative value, such as Council meeting minutes, by-laws, assessment rolls, financial records, reports and official correspondence
• church, community and school records
• census records
• historical photographs
• land records
• historical maps, plans and aerial photographs
• newspapers
• personal papers of past residents and founding families, such as diaries, family histories, journals and letters
• records of local organizations, both past and present

VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!

The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr: 

• Archival Awareness
• Early Churches of Vaughan
• Early Communities of Vaughan
• Early Pioneers of Vaughan
• Families in Arms
• From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
• Historical Families of Vaughan
• Historical Photography
• Recollections of Rural Vaughan
• The Mary Wood Collection
• The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
• Vaughan Working Environments
• Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
• And more! 

A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database, or contact the Vaughan Archives by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca. 

By managing and preserving both City and community records, the Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.

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