1965 Royalty Pageant
Queen: Anna Di Mambro of Louis Creek

The following essay appeared in the North Thompson Times, Wednesday September 1, 1965. Anna Di Mambro was the 1965 Fall Fair Queen.

Fall Fair Winner
Anna Di Mambro of Louis Creek
First Prize Essay
What the Fall Fair Does for Me and My Community

Fairs are events where people gather to present or to see exhibitions that show how people work, live, or play. Each person or community can make it different from others and special in its own way. A fair in a community is of great value because it raises the standards of the products of the farms, ranches and homes.

A fair encourages producer to produce the highest quality product of which his is capable. It gives a chance to a grower to see his animals or products side by side what the best that his fellow-exhibitors can show. At the fair, the success of each breeder is shown; also, there he obtains the critical inspection of his fellow breeders, as well as the criticism of the experienced judges. As a result, the undesirable characteristics are discarded and only the bet is kept. The farmer’s livestock is also advertised when it is in the show ring. A prospective buyer may view the animals and, if interested I the ones shown, he may visit the community the next times he wants to build up his herd or flock. Thus money is brought into the district as a result of that community’s products being advertised at the fall fair.

For many future farmers, the fall fair is their achievement day. At the fair they learn how to fit and show their animals. It is also achievement day for those displaying their vegetables, baking, sewing, grain and other produce.

Special attention is given to the 4-H Garden, Sewing and other clubs. The competition teaches sportsmanship, in how to accept disappointment with good grace, and to accept disappointment with good grace, and to accept victory without excessive boasting. Besides, the experience they receive, they are also encouraged to become regular exhibitors of the future and to do their part in the constant process of bettering their products when they become adult exhibitors. A fair gives a chance to the students to show their year’s work; arts, hobbies and games all of which are of great educational value.

Local industry and business benefit from the holding of fairs. At the Fall Fair, there are usually displays of the latest in appliances for easier homemaking, and machinery for better and easier farming. From this advertising, business establishments benefit from the increase in potential customers. Without the individual urge to better himself, farm implements in use today would still be primitive, and there would be no advancement I types of livestock and crops.

A fair encourages people to be proud of their products. It is this form of competition that has led to better products, a higher standard of living and many of the other achievements that our community can look on with pride.

This too, is an important factor. Fall fairs offer an opportunity to residents of towns and cities to see the agricultural riches of the districts. The people of the cities are important customers for farm products, and through a fair they learn to respect the work accomplished by the men and women who make their living upon the land.

Fairs are invaluable too, in promoting good public relations. The consumer meets the agricultural producer on a personal basis. He is also educated through exhibits and displays. The fair gives “New Canadians” a chance to show the crafts of their country and to get to know the crafts, customs and activities of their new country. That will result in a better understanding on the part of these new Canadians.

In a fair there is also a lot of entertainment. While the youngsters are happily spending their pennies at the fish pond, at the ice cream stand, or enjoying the different rides the old folks are quietly visiting and recalling past incidents with acquaintances and friends they have not seen since last year’s fair. Also, there is the parade which adds colour to the show and helps the fair to be more successful.

Governments encourage fairs by giving money grants to the Fair Associations and by doing this they show confidence in what the fair is accomplishing.

This essay wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t write down what the Fall Fair does for me as an individual. I have seen the North Thompson Fall Fair three times now, and I have enjoyed it very much. It has been educational for me too, I entered some of my schoolwork and although I didn’t win a first prize, I did have a chance to compare my work with the work of my fellow students. As entertainment I enjoyed seeing the parade and I also enjoyed the horse events very much. In my opinion it is one of the most exciting events of the day.

The North Thompson Fall Fair is one of the most successful in the province, and has accomplished many things for our community. Thus all of us should be proud of it.