BINBROOK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - A HISTORY

    Binbrook Township received its name from a town in Lincolnshire, England in 1792. Township land was first owned by the widows and heirs of British officers and soldiers who served in the American War of Independence. However, these people did not settle the land but sold it to land speculators. The first settlers moved into the area in 1809. By 1832 there were only ten farm houses with a total population of 161 in the whole township. From 1834 on, the township's population increased greatly due to the influx of English and Scottish immigrants. By 1893, the Village of Binbrook alone had 23 homes and 103 people living there.
   
    The first record of an Agricultural Society in South Wentworth was in 1854 with the financial statement given in pounds and pence; the balance in the treasury was 9 pounds, 5 pence. This first local Agricultural Society had representatives from the four townships, Binbrook, Barton, Glanford and Saltfleet. The fair was then held alternately-one year at Stoney Creek and the next at Binbrook. Horse races were held in a field across the road from the present Fairgrounds. These would be not be professional races but just local farmers competing in races. In 1905, the Binbrook Agricultural Society, with a membership of 67, held the fair in the Drill Hall and adjoining ground which was rented from Edward Whitwell for $50.00.

    In 1919 the Agricultural Society bought 13 acres from Garbine Ecker to use as a Fairgrounds and donated a corner of the property to the township as a site for the Soldiers' Memorial Hall. The Memorial Hall was built in 1920 and was used for exhibits, the Drill Hall having been moved and converted into a grandstand. In the later twenties, the Women's Institute sponsored the building of a skating rink which was used at fair time for a livestock pavilion. This skating rink eventually collapsed and other accommodations were provided for the splendid exhibits of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and other agricultural and homemaking products from Binbrook and surrounding districts. New attractions were added such as Field Crop Competitions and a Junior Department for Junior Farmers and 4H Club exhibits.

    In the early 40's, the war years took their toll of attendance and interest waned; many small fairs around Ontario closed their gates but the Binbrook Agricultural Society, determined to keep going and with hopes for the future, built new horse stalls and planned other attractions.

    In the early 1900's women were recognized as Associate Directors but it wasn't until 1952 that a formal group known as Lady Associate Directors was organized. This group arranged the prize list for the Fair Book covering flowers and plants, all branches of "women's work", and the Elementary School Children's Department. This group also arranged special events and attractions for the Fair such as the Organized Women's Group display, antiques for the 100th Anniversary Fair in 1954, and a Fair Queen contest in 1973. The Fair Queen competition was discontinued in 1993 but it will be revived for the 150th Anniversary Fair as a Fair Ambassador competition, open to both women and men.

    In 1954, the Binbrook Fair held its Centennial, with a parade of more than 30 floats. Attractive stone pillars at the entrance to the grounds were built. The Provincial Government gave a grant of $1,000.00 toward the pillars. They were unveiled by The Hon. T. L. Kennedy, a former Minister of Agriculture.
   
    In 1964, community washrooms were built jointly by the Agricultural Society and Blackheath- Binbrook Lion's Club and Binbrook Township.

    In 1966, Pari Mutual Wagering was introduced. The excellent half mile racing track had been attracting the cream of harness racers, so, instigated by the Secretary, David Woodwork, betting became legal. Binbrook's share of the profits for the first year was $200.00.

    Canada's Centennial, 1967, was observed with special events and exhibits. A long parade of floats and school children, led by a Scottish pipe band was a highlight. A banquet was held to honour Past Presidents, both men and women, who were presented with Past President's pins.

    In 1973, an additional exhibition hall, the Kinsman Hall was constructed. The project was shared jointly by the Kinsmen and the Agricultural Society. This year the first Sunday program was introduced with a Western Horse Show, a display of antique and vintage cars and a horse pulling contest. It was also the first year that a "Fair Queen" was selected.

    In 1979 the old Drill Hall Grandstand was torn down and a new one was constructed based upon the seating of the former Speedway Park, located in upper Stoney Creek. Financial support was provided from a Wintario grant to help pay for the construction. The grandstand was barely ready for the Fair but the seating was ready and the show went on. After the Fair, a meeting and banquet hall were constructed under the Grandstand and the Agricultural Society, under the leadership of the Lady Associate Directors, began to cater to weddings and other events in order to help pay for the building.

    The 1980's saw a flurry of building on the Fairgrounds. In 1987, additional land was purchased from Neil Laidman to serve as a parking lot for the Fair so that people would no longer have to park along highway 56 to attend the Fair. The old horse Barns were torn down and new ones were constructed along the west side of the Fairgrounds. A new School Building was built in 1988 that also housed Junior department displays and a new Photography display. Over the next few years two new buildings were built to house commercial exhibits, the first in 1989 and the second in 1992. Then in 1993, the Kinsmen Building was torn down and was replaced with a new building connected to the School Building. The extra space in the buildings allowed for extra exhibits to be displayed and new classes such as Antiques and Amateur Winemaking to be added.

    With the addition of the new buildings, the Agricultural Society started to use the buildings for car and boat storage in the winter and for a Craft Show in the spring. The Fairgrounds became a busy community centre, year round.
The 2000 Fair saw the end of Horseracing. The cost of maintaining the track, the limited number of horses available due to competition with larger race tracks and the limited return for the investment necessitated the decision. In its place the Agricultural Society introduced Lawn Mower racing, a Birds of Prey show and other entertainment. The loss of horseracing did allow for the expansion of activities in the in-field area. One of the expanded activities was the Agriculture Education Program for grade 3 classes held on the Friday of the Fair. This was then followed by an expanded Old MacDonald's Farm display.

    As the Binbrook Fair approaches its 160th year, the community of Binbrook is undergoing another rapid expansion due to many new homes built in the village of Binbrook and the erection of a water tower just west of the Fairgrounds. Even we have expanded, purchasing an older lot on the south side of our property, and creating a new primary entrance for the fair. In 2011, we partnered with Bell Mobility, to enhance mobile phone service in Binbrook, adding a stunning new piece of modern technology, contrasted by the old cattle ties below it.

    As part of the larger City of Hamilton, the Fair is continuing to expand its attraction to a larger community. It continues to provide entertainment for the rural part of the community, and education about farms and farm life for the urban part of the city. Our place at the heart of our community continues to grow, as we reach out and support our new growing family that is Binbrook.

Our Past Presidents

Past Presidents of Homecraft

Past Secretaries

* - DECEASED