Newspaper Clipping, "Decline In Farms At Iron Bridge Fair", 1971

Decline in farms seen at Iron Bridge fair
Sept 22 1971 Standard

IRON BRIDGE — The agricultural society found 30 exhibitors entering in the competitive classes in the Senior division at the annual fall fair here. In talked with the president of the society, Neil Draper, he said that farmers were becoming predominantly extinct and the exhibitors mostly urban dwellers, with the minority from rural areas. The local agricultural society has 53 members from Iron Bridge and the surrounding rural sections, as well as Blind River, located 16 miles away.

Maurice Foster, member of Parliament for the Algoma Riding, officially opened the fair. When he had left his summer home at Desbrats, it was pouring rain but by the time he had reached Iron Bridge the rain had stopped.

Political aspirant Terry Grywinski, who is seeking the provincial seat, was also at the fair and was interested in the many exhibits. "My heart is on the farm," he said, as he had made his living there prior to going into the field of education. "You can't beat the farm for a place to live," he concluded in his brief remarks.

Cattle, horses, sheep and children's pets were judged by Bill Hurd of Parry Sound. He had previously judged the vegetables, fruit and flowers and pants.

Other out-of-town judges were Mrs. Mary McPherson and Mrs. Myrtle Kettle, both of Brace-Bridge. Mrs. McPherson did the tasting and the squeezing of the hundreds of entries of food, products and Mrs. Kettle went; around with a magnifying glass checking the stitching on the garments and fancy work done by the homemakers, who were proud of the many things that they are able to make during the year, from dresses to quilts.

The hobbies were in a class themselves, with oil painting, with oil painting predominating along with various types of needle work, baking and photography.

The children are following in their parents footsteps as there were 195 exhibits in the Junior section. with a total of $119 being paid out to the children The adults will be receiving heir prize money at the annual all banquet. Mrs. Merle Burbidge had the most entries in the adult group.

DINING ROOM BEAUTY — Bill Hurd. from Parry Sound, had difficulty in making a choice in selecting the winners in the dining room arrangement section of the flower show during the annual fall fair at Iron Bridge. He was also the judge for the fruits and vegetables section, as well as livestock, including children's pets.