18 FOCUS - AUGUST 2018 made by people who attend the fair each and every year. From today’s perspective, Port Perry would seem the logical host for the event as Scugog’s largest centre. But the Fair didn’t begin its more than century and a half run here, according to respected local historian Paul Arculus. “Prince Albert was its original site,” he explains. “Port Perry in the early 1850s was a much smaller settlement than Prince Albert, and commercially less important by comparison. Prince Albert sat on the north-south road from Oshawa, so that gave it the edge. It was a vibrant community, and made it the obvious choice as host.” In those early years, he says, Fairs were held in spring and fall. “In the spring, farmers could buy implements and seed for the upcoming season. The fall Fair was tied to harvest, when they’d sell and enter competitions with their crops…biggest pumpkin, best tomatoes, that sort of thing.” When it became the northbound railway terminus in 1871, Port Perry immediately seized the commercial focus from Prince Albert. “Goods came to Port Perry from the south by rail,” Paul says. “Lake Scugog allowed a direct link to Lindsay, the next major centre northward, so Port Perry grew rap- idly and Prince Albert faded. “Fairs were still held in Prince Albert, but also Utica, Manchester, and in 1863 in Borelia, close to the present- day high school.” Modern times, and the march of technology which has accompanied them, have presented the fair’s organizers with challenges unimagined in the 1850s. “As President this year with young children of my own to bring to the fair, it is important that we keep growing and changing, but keep our historical roots”, says Landon. “We are excited to have various events continue and grow at our fair. The demolition derby, horse show, the heavy horse show, Raw Hide Rodeo, a new event this year, the lumberjack show/competition and our ever-popular country concerts. Headlining this year will be Meaghan Patrick.” Whitney Cohoon knows first-hand the evolution of Port Perry Fair (continued from page 17) Horse and tractor pull, circa 1961 Huge crowds were on hand during the fair in the 1950s. This fair poster dates back a long way – 1892. www.sweetmapleportperry.ca 20 Water Street, Port Perry 905-982-0662 Order or Reserve on line!! BREAKFAST & LUNCH NOW SERVING DINNER