DUNDAS PLOWING MATCH

For many years people have been attending country fairs and exhibitions. Some travelled as far as Charlottetown, Souris, and Georgetown to enter their exhibits or just to enjoy themselves. James Norton wrote that he left at 5 o‘clock one morning to attend the fair at Georgetown. On September 25, 1890, he re- marked that the place had changed entirely. They had a beautiful driving park fenced with a high wall, cattle sheds, and grandstands.

Olive Taylor also remembers going to the fair at Georgetown. They would be saving their money all summer so they could attend the fair. Coming from Little Pond she would cross the ferry from Annandale to Launching and then from Newport to Georgetown. It would be an all day affair to look forward to.

On October 2, 1941, the Central Kings Carry On Canada Corps held its first annual plowing match and small fair on the farm of Frank Clay in Bridgetown. The admission was 25¢ and .15.¢. The main objective of having this fair was to raise money and assist in the war efforts. The executive of the first fair was Leslie

Hunter, President; Norman W. MacLeod, Vice-President; and W. B. Creed, Secretary.

Some of the attractions of the first fairs were horse plowing classes, a tractor class, three horse plow team classes and carriage show. Sports also proved to be an exciting event, with a boxing ring all set up who could refuse the chance to show their strength. On one such occasion it was George Stead, Upton, and Allan MacLeod, Mount Hope, in the ring. We did not determine who came out the winner or even if there was one but there was good sportsmanship

in both competitors. During the event the ladies of the community served delicious lunches on long tables outside.

In 1947 the Association purchased a ninty-nine acre farm from John Martin MacDonald in Dundas. They erected a hundred foot exhibit building and an

eating booth. In the years following they added four large cattle barns, horse barns, outside hog and sheep pens, booths, and office and entertainment buildings.

The Dundas Plowing Match and Fair is still enjoyed by people from far and wide. This is a usual vacation time for native Islanders living out of province.

FOLKLORE

A favorite pastime in days gone by was the exchange of ghost stories. Many evenings were passed by neighbours sitting around and taking turns telling their narrative accounts. While the grown ups seemed to enjoy the tales, children who eavesdropped from their beds were often too scared to sleep.

Ghostly yarns would be told of hearing chains, footsteps, voices and seeing apparitions in graveyards. Sometimes these stories were created by locals who Wished to scare their neighbours.

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