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Tag: vintage blog

Vintage Photos of the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair

Toronto Royal Winter Fair 1931 Poster-1930s vintage ad.

Toronto is currently hosting the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair (The Royal Winter Fair) and it’s in its 97th year (Oct 2024 Update-102 years!!) in the city! How incredible and cool piece of Toronto’s History that is still going strong.

I personally have never gone to the Fair even though it’s in my neighbourhood. Why? Well I never felt the need. I grew up around farms and farmers and every Thanksgiving I attend the Bridgen Fair (going strong since 1850), which has it’s own horses, cows and largest Squash contest. So I feel like “been there, done that”. BUT I have heard that it is a wonderful event from anyone who goes, and I recommend you attend if your in the city.

For today’s “Vintage Photo Tuesday” I’m going to showcase images from the fair from the 1920s to the 1960s because as everyone knows, those are my favourite photo eras. Let’s head to the fair!


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.


Vintage Photos of the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair

Vintage Royal Winter Fair Toronto Pennant

A Royal History

Since 1922, the country has come to the city as farmers, growers, producers and homesteaders have come from all over Canada to exhibit their very best agricultural products and livestock. After the First World War, a collective of notable farmers and horsemen got together to plan an exhibition of Canada’s finest agricultural wares. Led by shorthorn cattleman, W.A. Dryden the group believed strongly in Canada’s ability to compete at a world-class level. Lacking no ambition, the group solicited and received full support from all three levels of government and was granted the Royal moniker by King George V of England.

Building of the Royal Coliseum – a landmark structure that still helps to greet people on their way into Toronto to this day – would commence in early 1921 in advance of the first Fair that November. Unfortunately, construction delays would prevent the facilities from being ready in time and the 1921 Fair would be postponed until the following year. Despite the early stumble, that 1922 Fair was a resounding success, beating all projections. It firmly established The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair as one of the world’s best (Source).

Royal Winter Fair Toronto 1923 Button - Vintage Button.

Source: eBay

Two women from Port Hope with Italian marrow squash at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, 1955.

Further Reading from Toronto’s other big “fair”: See Vintage Photos from the Canadian National Exhibition

1950s Vintage Photo: Two women from Port Hope with Italian marrow squash at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, 1955

Source: Archives of Ontario

Governor General Alexander and Lady Alexander and with a duck-November 1, 1946.

1940s Vintage Photo: Governor General Alexander and Lady Alexander and with duck at Royal Winter Fair-November 1, 1946.

Source Toronto Archives

1929, 3 2-toned kittens, Doris Ceary, Rosemont. This whole look is very ummm..Cat.

Further Reading: Vintage Photo Tuesday: Pets & Their Owners

1920s Fashion-Photo of a woman holding 3 cats in 1920s style at royal winter fair toronto

Source: Toronto Archives

Governor General Alexander with a cow at the Royal Winter Fair in 1946.

1940s Vintage Photo: Governor General Alexander with cow at Royal Winter Fair-1946.

Source: Toronto Archives

Corn display with model, 1950s. This contest has always fascinated me. How do you know which corn is the best corn? Size of the kernels on the cob?

1950s photo of a young woman holding a corn on the cob at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Source: Daily Hive

Presentation of silver plate to Jim Day, 1000 winner in horse jumping competition-1960s. Look at that 1960s Style! Wow!

1960s Vintage Photo: Presentation of silver plate to Jim Day, 1000 winner in horse jumping competition, Royal Winter Fair 1960s

Source: Toronto Archives

1934 Royal Winter Fair Program.

1934 Royal Winter Fair Vintage Program

Source: eBay

1929 Royal Winter Fair, Champion Potatoes, Dooley, S.E. Guffin, RR 1, Acton. Those are some nice looking potatoes if I do say so myself.

1920s Photo of Royal Winter Fair, Champion Potatoes, Dooley, S.E. Guffin, RR 1, Acton

Source: Toronto Archives

J. Lance Rumble of Lawrum Farms, Durham, Ontario, at Royal Winter Fair in buggy with Mrs. Rumble-1950s.

1950s Vintage Photo: J. Lance Rumble of Lawrum Farms, Durham, Ontario, at Royal Winter Fair in buggy with Mrs. Rumble-1950s.

Source: Toronto Archives

1958 Flower display.

1950s Vintage Photo of the 1958 Flower display at the Royal Winter Fair

Source: Archives of Ontario

The next 3 photos are the most fashionable people I have ever seen at a fair..ever.

Lieutenant-Governor W.D. Ross and Ontario Premier G. Howard Ferguson at the horseshoe pitching contest-1929.

1920s Vintage PHoto: Lieutenant-Governor W.D. Ross and Ontario Premier G. Howard Ferguson at the horseshoe pitching contest, Royal Winter Fair, CNE-1930s.

Source: Toronto Archives

Well dressed attendees in 1929- Susan Ross, Mrs. Reginald Pellatt, [H.W.D.] Chick Foster, Mrs. Donald Ross, Mrs. John McKee.

1920s Photo & 1920s Fashion: Well dressed attendees in 1929- Susan Ross, Mrs. Reginald Pellatt, [H.W.D.] Chick Foster, Mrs. Donald Ross, Mrs. John McKee.

Stunning 1920s Jackets in this photo at the fair.

1920s Fashion at the Royal Agricultural Fair Toronto. Stunning 1920s Jackets.

Source: Toronto Archives

1929 Photo of Cat-Blue Viking of Kershion, Mrs. H. C. Baker, Buffalo. So cute!!

1929 Photo of Cat-Blue Viking of Kershion, Mrs. H. C. Baker, Buffalo.

Source: Toronto Archives

Dog Lovers! How cute are these two? Royal Winter Fair, dogs, Champion Mighty Atom, Miss Florence Massacar, Toronto-1929.

1920s Vintage Photo: Royal Winter Fair, dogs, Champion Mighty Atom, Miss Florence Massacar, Toronto

Source: Toronto Archives

1949 photo featuring a Cowgirl riding side saddle.

1940s Photo of a young woman as cowgirl 1949 for the Royal Winter Fair

Source: Daily Hive

Question Time: Do you have fairs like this in your hometown? Do you like to attend them? If yes, what is your favourite part (mine is all the crafts people do)? Comment below!

Further Reading:

Liz

Vintage Photos: Celebrating Thanksgiving-Part 3

Well it’s almost time again, time for Canadians to celebrate Thanksgiving. YAY! I love this time of the year and I’m excited to go home and eat everything in front of me 🙂 It will be bitter sweet though, as this will be the first family holiday without my beloved Omi 🙁 But I know she will be there in spirit raising a glass to all the family being together.

Now as you can read from the title, this is my 3rd installment of Vintage Photo Tuesday, Thanksgiving Edition. You can read my other posts below:


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


Vintage Thanksgiving Photos 1920s-1960s

The table is set, so let us sit down and see what I found, shall we?

1950s vintage photo of a Thanksgiving Dinner Table filled with Turkey and the trimmings

Source: eBay

Here is some of the 1950s family that belongs to that pretty table setup above. Dad is getting ready to carve that turkey.

1950s thanksgiving dinner photo of a dad getting ready to carve the turkey

Source: eBay

Sisters at Thanksgiving, Betty and Martha, November 26, 1953. Let’s take a moment to enjoy the 1950s fashions and the 1950s Living room decor. LOVE IT!

1950s vintage thanksgiving photo featuring two women in 1950s fashion 1950s in a Mid Century living room talking to each other.

Source: Flickr

At the same Thanksgiving with cousins Roxie and Gail (in adorable matching dresses) and Aunt Martha (and we get a better look at the her beautiful purple 1950s dress).

1950s photo of a mother with her two kids during thanksgiving 1950s fashions

Source: Flickr

Cousins on Thanksgiving 1956. Roxie, Gail, Larry, David, and Kent at the Mather home in Santa Ana, November 22, 1956. What a cute family.

1950s photo of cousins together on thanksgiving in 1950s kids fashions

Source: Flickr

Thanksgiving Dinner 1968. That lamp so funky!

Thanksgiving dinner 1968 1960s fashions 1960s photo

Source: Flickr

1960s Photo: A family taking a moment to say thank you for the food they are about to eat.

Black family / African American family sitting around the table about to enjoy thanksgiving turkey

The kids table at Thanksgiving (1950s I believe).

Did you ever have to sit at the kids table? I did and sometimes as an adult as well. Ha Ha.

1950s 1960s thanksgiving photo of kids sitting at the kids table

Source: Flickr

1950s-Small family gathering around the table. Cozier the better.

1950s photo of a family gathered around the thanksgiving table 1950s life

Source: eBay

1950s photo of Dad getting ready to carve the turkey in his Dad apron.

carving the turkey on thanksgiving day. 1950s photos of a family around the table

Source: Etsy

1960s photo of a family showing the joy from knowing that a wonderful feast is about to be had with wonderful guests.

1960s vintage photo of a Black family in 1960s fashions enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together

To all my readers that celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, enjoy your time with family and friends. To my readers in the United States, enjoy your time next month 🙂

QUESTION TIME: Do you have a family tradition that you do or a specific food that needs to be on the table? Share in the comments below.

Further Reading:

Liz