The Annual Lambeth Fall Fair by Rose Christensen for the Westminster Twp. Historical Society. Everyone in Lambeth has heard of the Lambeth Harvestfest event. Harvestfest has been an annual fall event since 1979. But do you know we had a fall fair long before that? Lambeth’s first fall fair began about 1850. It was first held on fairgrounds along the present Colonel Talbot Road. These fairgrounds were on a farm across from the former M. B. McEachren Public School. About 50 years later, it moved to another location along present-day Beattie Street on the farm of Sarah and James Beattie. One of the notable features of this farm was an old oak tree, which was located in the center of the fairgrounds race track. The fall fair was a one-day event in October and was sponsored by the Westminster Agricultural Society. Large crowds came from London and St. Thomas aboard the London and Lake Erie Traction Line. Farmers drove in from all parts of the district. The whole community participated, but the best part for the fair-goers was seeing everyone they knew for miles around all gathered together. Bands such as the Birr Brass Band and the Oneida Indian Band participated, as did Scottish dancers and Highland Pipers. Another feature was the Red Cross Booth, which was run by a group of young ladies. Their sale of light refreshments helped raise money for the Red Cross Fund. There was always a dance that ended the fall fair event. There were complete exhibits from every category, such as cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, and swine. But the cattle and horse exhibits eclipsed all others. Fine horses were always a leading feature of the Lambeth fair. There were also exhibits in other departments, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Westminster Township HISTORICAL SOCIETY westminstertwphs.ca
Additionally, in the fine arts and ladies’ work section, there were many exhibits of unusually good work in needlework, crocheting, knitting and quilting. Horse races, such as the Director’s Slow Race, were held where the drivers changed their horses, with the slowest driver winning first. There was also a horse race with lady drivers. Over the years, the population of visitors attending the fall fair grew. For example, when the fall fair moved to the Beattie Farm, it was estimated that about 4,000 people attended the fair that year. Sadly, the last fall fair on the Beattie farm was held in 1939 just before World War 2. The Western Fair of London, held annually in September, provided an alternative to the Lambeth Fall Fair.
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Lambeth Villager • October 2024 • Page 13
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