History of the Fair
The "Acton Fall Fair" has been around since 1913 however did you know, this was not the first fair to be held in Acton?
Starting in 1846, the “Esquesing Fair” would alternate between Acton & Georgetown. Throughout the decades, the fair had assumed different names while continuing to go back & forth between Acton & Georgetown.
The fair went through many changes. Between 1889 to 1892, the fair was called the Acton Union Fair, and it was held for two days during the week. In 1892, the fair was known as the Acton Horticultural & Agricultural Exhibition. In 1908, the fair was back to being the Esquesing Fall Fair, & it was advertised as “Open to the World - Esquesing Fall Fair at Acton” Admission to the fair was 25¢ & 10¢ for children. The following year, the fair in Acton had 459 entries in horse events alone.
In January 1912, the Township Society (who had arranged the Fair thus far) held their annual meeting & voted to cancel the alternating arrangement & just hold the annual fair in Georgetown. In the spring of 1913, the Town of Acton held a meeting where many citizens came forward to support an Acton Fall Fair. A committee was formed & they canvassed the town for funds. They had been so successful that not only was the fair able to happen, there was also a very impressive prize pool for the competitions.
George Havill was elected President & George Hynds was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the board. In 1913, the fair was advertised in The Acton Free Press as “Acton Fall Fair - Open to the World”. The fair took place over two days: Tuesday, September 23rd & Wednesday, September 24th.
More notable events in the years since:
1914: The fair was awarded our first government grant of $300 and $200 people viewed the exhibits, with $21.00 taken at the gate.
1924: After a deficit of $1.20 in 1923, admission to the fair was raised to 35¢
1942: The fair opened on a weekend for the first time, opening on the Friday & Saturday
1963: The 50th anniversary was celebrated & the first Miss Acton (Fair Ambassador) competition took place
1974: The fair was extended to 3 days
2013: The 100th anniversary of the fair was celebrated
As we look back over the years we realize that we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to officers and members of the early fairs. The Acton Fair has carried on through wartime, depression and rainy fair days.
It is the hope of the Acton Agricultural Society that this history will be of interest to all who read it.
Excerpts taken from – 50th Anniversary Committee, Mac Sprowl Speech 1988