EMSDALE  AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

We hold our meetings at 7:30 pm, on the 1st Thursday of every month in the Emsdale Community Centre,top
located at the entrance to the Emsdale Fair Grounds. (see map on Events page)

                   
Please join us, all are welcome!

Volunteers     History     Food Clock

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Volunteers

We always need new volunteers (i.e.. for bingo, fair day, plant sale,) or to be on our executive board.

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History

Settlement reached the Parry Sound District in the 1870's. In 1889, the Emsdale Agricultural Society then known as the (Perry Township Agricultural Society) was formed to promote agriculture in the region surrounding the town of Emsdale. The fair grounds quickly became the centre for the community.

Around the Second World War, the Agricultural Society was approximately $300.00 in the red. To raise funds and save the Fair, Frank Rowley, George Brown, Erwin and Don Marshall, and Edgar Belfoy provided the music for weekly dances every Monday evening, all year round. In the late 1940's, the Society borrowed money to have a basement put underneath the Hall. The cost of this was $2,600.00. In the 1960's, the side addition, which is the kitchen and office, was added to the Hall. About that same time, a chain link fence was constructed and the log building for the Museum was moved and erected on the Fair Grounds.

In 1971, the Agricultural Society turned the Hall and property over to the Perry Township and the Community Centre Board. There was an agreement that the Emsdale Agricultural Society would continue to use the Hall and grounds as before, and in perpetuity, from this day, December 2, 1971.Ernie Thorne began the weekly bingo games, which helped immensely in the effort to raise funds to keep the Society viable and the Fair alive. Today, we still have weekly bingo, which is an important part of our fund raising.

The Emsdale Agricultural Society, together with the Emsdale Community Centre, the Pioneer Museum and the Perry Township Public Library, represent a substantial part of the heritage of the citizens of Emsdale and area. The strength of the pioneers, the foresight of our forefathers and their goals constitute a heritage of which we can be very proud.

Emsdale Fair, Late 1800's

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Food Clock

Send E-mail to emsdalag@vianet.ca if you have questions about this web site.

Links
Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies
Perry Township

Sprucedale & District Horticultural Society
Perry Township Public Library
Information Centre      

 Last modified: 07/29/09