Iron Bridge Settlers Held First Fall Fair in 1887
By BELLE TULLOCH Star Correspondent
IRON BRIDGE — Agricultural societies seem to have something that many farm organizations lack.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, agricultural society, formed in 1792, was the first devoted to improving agriculture. At first the monthly meetings were purely social, held in a house called "Freeman Hall". This hall served many purposes. It was used for a chapel, court of justice, masonic lodge, ball room, and an Indian council room.
Nevertheles a very good
purpose was answered by the opportunity it afforded for chatting in parties after dinner, on the state of crops tillage and so on. The aim of this society was improvement of stock by creating interest in better cattle and horses and introducing new varieties of grain, potatoes and fruits.
The early settlers came to Iron Bridge in 1884 and in 1887 the settlers had organized and a Fall Fair was held. Farmers came a distance of 17 miles with teams and wagons in the early days to fairs held across the highway from the present fair grounds.

One member, looking back 60 years, recalls there were many grains exhibited including banner oats, chancellor peas, Beauty of Hebron and Irish Cobbler potatoes.
Field crop competition have brought in seed better suited to the area, in Gary Rodney and Stormont oats. Though heavy horses were numerous in early days, saddle horses and ponies were also popular. Livestock was tied to the fences along the road, sheep and hogs were exhibited in small pens. The lady's work, and other exhibits were displayed in the Orange Hall,
away from the fair ground.
In 1926 the society purchased three acres of land from Nelson Warnock and in the same year let a contract to Harry Davidson for $150 to erect a building 30 by 60 feet. Lumber and other materials were donated or bought by the society.
Some years later this hall was enlarged to accommodate the school fair. After 80 years of consecutive fairs in this village, we hear C fairs are on the way out. But C fairs will only go out if we let them.
This year our special prize list offers more than usual rewards to women who wish to compete at baking, pies, cakes, and bread. Attractive prizes are being offered to those who choose to do needlework. Many good prizes' are available to the men in commercial feature in potatoes and beef calves as well as adult-sheep and cattle.