Annandale School Fair Reggie (left) and Mary Banks (right) Prize Calves

ANNUAL SCHOOL FAIR

One of the most popular events for school children was the Annual School Fair. These fairs were started in the 1920’s and continued to be an annual event until the late 1940’s. Former students and competitors recall them as being lots of fun. The fair would last the whole day.

There were two fairs held in this area, one in Bridgetown to take in the sur- rounding districts of Mount Hope, Albion Cross, Bridgetown, Strathcona and Primrose; and one in Annandale for the districts of Howe Bay, Little Pond, River- view, Cumberland Hill and Annandale.

These fairs were usually held in the fall and were attended by old and young alike. Some compared them to a small exhibition.

There were a lot of different sections to compete in, some of them being: sewing, knitting, cooking, embroidery, art work, penmanship, display of vege- tables, carpentry, and show of animals. The judging was done by people from outside the community such as the School Inspector. Kenneth Ross recalled one year the Staff from the Experimental Farms and Agricultural Office judging the farm entries.

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