After 47 years, the Saskatoon Fall Fair is no more.
The once popular purebred beef and commercial show has seen its numbers steadily decline over the past several years.
“The committee concluded that it was not meeting the needs of the industry because attendance was so low,” said Brenda Sapergia, livestock manager for Prairieland Park.
The annual four-day November show has played an important role in the beef industry. Initially designed to provide a venue for purebred producers to showcase their breeding stock, it grew to encompass a commercial cattle show and sale, the Junior Classic, the Prospect Calf Show and Sale, the Cinderella Classic jackpot, the Senior Challenge, and many more components.
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As the beef industry has evolved over the past 50 years, so have the marketing strategies of the purebred cattle producer. The ease of mobility to travel to select premier events, the onset of technology including video, social media and website marketing, and producer evaluation of genetics based on a multitude of technological tools have all had an effect on the marketing value placed on the traditional show ring competitions.
The decline in participation and support of provincial shows has been evident over the past several years, and has led the organizers of the fair, including the volunteer committee and show management, to make the difficult decision Jan. 22.
“It was not a quick decision. Right after the last show we had the discussion. It wasn’t anything fast and drastic. It was carefully considered and discussed,” said Sapergia.
The close dates of shows like the Western Canadian Agribition had an effect on the smaller, more regional venue.
“I think people are choosing to go to one. They can’t possible afford to go to all. I think that’s what’s happening,” she said.
But the termination of this event does not lessen the commitment that Saskatoon Prairieland Park has to the beef industry. Sapergia said a planning committee has been organized and will try to design something new. It will analyze opportunities to provide events that offer educational, youth oriented, and industry significant components that would bring value to producers in the future.
“It’s going to be replaced by another venue. Let’s just say more popular,” she said.
