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The Old Fairground

There is a tradition in Stony Plain of holding community events that predates today's Farmer's Days, Stony Plain Country Market, Cowboy Poetry, and Canada Day. As Edmonton was a difficult journey by any means of travel, Stony Plain became a major centre for events in the region at an early stage of its development as a Town.

While many of today's events take place at Exhibition Park on the Northwest edge of town, the events of yesteryear took place at the Stony Plain Fair Grounds, which were located at the Southwest portion of Stony Plain where the curling rink, swimming pool, arena, and baseball diamonds now stand. The entrance to the Fair Grounds was at the West end of what is now 54th Avenue.

The most significant event to be held at the Fair Grounds was the Stony Plain Agricultural Fair, which began in the early 1900's. Exhibitors brought cattle and other livestock from as far away as Vancouver and Saskatoon, and local farmers would compete with, and often surpass, them. Shorthorn Cattle and Irish Cobbler potatoes were among the products that garnered local farmers a certain amount of fame.

In addition to the livestock sheds, corrals and show-rings required for the showing of livestock, the Fair Grounds also included a half-mile oval racetrack, ball diamond, football field, and tennis courts. There was also a two-storey exhibition building for the showing and judging of homecrafts, cooking, vegetables and grains.

During the Agricultural Fair, the grounds, nearby streets, and vacant lots would be crowded with buggies, democrats, wagons, and cars. First Nation's peoples from Winterburn and Duffield set up their teepees on the Fair Grounds and competed in the sporting events.