MILLARVILLE, Alta. – The Priddis-Millarville, Alta., fair is a 100-year-old institution that has stood the test of time through two world wars, the depression and the trials of modern agriculture.
As one of Western Canada’s longest running fairs, the Priddis-Millarville event strives to maintain its old-fashioned charm with pens of livestock and a hay show, as well as home baking, vegetable and craft displays.
Keeping this event going in this community south of Calgary is the work of 29 committees, said Dorothy Jackson, co-chair of the centennial committee.
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To commemorate 100 years, organizers recognized seven local families who have been involved with the fair for five or more generations.
All had exhibited or volunteered consistently over the years to keep the event running. Finding the original founders and their descendents was a piece of cake.
“We kind of knew who they were because most of these families are still working here,” said Jackson.
“They all still have agriculture in their hearts no matter what they are doing now.”
The descendents of Frank Patterson, Charles Bull, John Paul, William Jackson, Joseph McPherson, Joe Standish and Joseph Mills were recognized.
Jackson and Standish were among the early ranchers to sign the fair charter and form an agricultural society that continues to this day.
In the early days, the fair moved from Priddis to Millarville from 1916-30 and from 1931-45 it was held at the midway point at the Fordville School, now long gone. It moved permanently to Millarville in 1946 where horse races have been held for more than a century and a high end farmers market draws customers for miles around.
The fair was meant to be a non-profit event with the intention of putting on a good show. In the lean years, winning exhibitors had to wait for their prize money to come from a grant from the department of agriculture.
This year, to encourage more entries, the prize money was increased.
The result was a near record number of entries including preserves, monster
zucchinis and striking flower arrangements.
The hay, grain and forage shows had more than 100 entries, said that committee’s chair John MacKenzie.
His committee received entries of plump grains in quart sealers, sheaves of wheat and bags of aromatic hays, as well as a junior class for the six to 12 year olds showing off displays of common weeds.
Seeing more entries from young people was encouraging.
“That’s the nuts and bolts of this whole thing. Get them interested when they are young,” said MacKenzie.
This year’s top prize went to 13-year-old Emily Ritchie who received $1,000 for her fair entry representing the spirit of the West and the pioneers.
The red ribbon exhibit that captured the oohs and aahs of everyone?
A homemade saskatoon pie.
