June 5 ·
Lombardy Agricultural Society 2nd place ribbon, 3rd place behind .
Every second day for over a year in 1995-1996 I used to pass the Lombardy Fair grounds on my way to see my sister who was dying in the Cancer hospital in Kingston. Originally the Lombardy Fair was nearer the village and in 1980 moved to its new grounds just three years ago. Known locally as “The World’s Fair” with 45 acres, a race track. Lions’ building, food booth and the community hall, fair officials were hoping to raise the rating from “C” class fair to “B” class. I often wondered about the history but it wasn’t until Adin Wesley Daigle posted his finds of the prize ribbons from the past that I knew I had to document something.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
10 Sep 1952, Wed • Page 21
Stories and Photos of the Lombardy Fair
Mrs. D. C. Moodie
In September of 1952 there were only about 100 men. women and children in this little village on Highway No. 15 near Smiths Falls, but each year since 1866 they pooled their efforts under the title of the Lombardy Agricultural Society to stage a fall fair that rates among the best in Eastern Ontario.
In 1951 it attracted over 4,000 visitors and the central figure behind this prodigious undertaking was a housewife named Mrs. D. C. Moodie. For only $70 annually she took on the job of fair secretary which kept her busy throughout most of the year.
Her husband was a Lombardy blacksmith and jack-of-all-trades who had been the Fair secretary for 10 years before her. In 1950 Mrs. Moodie took over the job for “just for one year” but it seems she was persuaded to stay on.
In 1942 there were only 21 exhibitors at the Lombardy Fair and in 1951 there were 60. When Mrs. Moodie complied the prize list for the 73rd annual fair in 1952 she included 500 separate classes. Mrs. Moodie was the mother of three children, Barbara, Beryl and Wayne, who helped her out during fair preparations by running messages.
Working with Mrs. Moodie, too are most of the villagers. President of the Lombardy Agricultural Society was Gordon W. Smith, reeve of South Elmsley Township. Spencer Blanchard was first vice-president, and Mr. Moodie was second vice-president. G. Weekes was treasurer. Directors were: Orvllle Covell, Harold Tennant. Donald Covell, C. Rea, Francis Jordan, Ross Miller. Lawrence Scott, Steacy Moorehouse and H.- E. Wood. Lady co-directors were: Mrs. G. W. Smith, Mrs. H. E. Wood, Mrs. Robert Joynt, Mrs. Gordon Pegg, Mrs. Spencer Blanchard. Mrs. Merrill Bass. Mrs Orvllle Covell and Mrs. O. Wright.
Rain at the Lombardy Fair - They postponed them in those days
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
08 Oct 1900, Mon • Page 8
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
05 Oct 1904, Wed • Page
If you have any memories contact me at sav_77@yahoo.com so I can document them. Thank you!
PHOTOS
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
24 Aug 1970, Mon • Page 4
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
16 Aug 1982, Mon • Page 3
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
06 Aug 1987, Thu • Page 6
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14 Aug 1972, Mon • Page 3
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14 Aug 1972, Mon • Page 3
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
10 Aug 1982, Tue • Page 8
The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
11 Aug 1972, Fri • Page 3
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
31 Aug 1964, Mon • Page 2
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
26 Aug 1964, Wed • Page 4
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
13 Sep 1958, Sat • Page 5
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14 Sep 1956, Fri • Page 10
Results of School Fairs Lanark County — Who Do You Know?
“Sale” Fairs — Crops and Sometimes Fair Damsels
Clippings and Photos of the 1958 Almonte Turkey Fair
HISTORY OF LANARK TOWNSHIP AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION –Laurie Yuill Part 4-“the proprietor of a merry-go-round was paid a bonus to bring his machine to the Fair “
Eva L. Devlin Pilot Crashed at Perth Fair
The Lanark Fair 1904 Names Names Names
McDonald’s Corners Fair Marks 100th Anniversary 1956 Names Names Names
lindaseccaspina 