FROM THE SCRAPBOOK
August 1997
By Dr. Bill Randall
Harvey Fair Over the Years
The summer of 1997 has been a summer of nostalgia for many Harvey
people — especially we who are older. The 50th anniversary of the High School with its excellent display of memorabilia and the many well planned opportunities for get togethers, warmed many hearts. Many families organize, family reunions, so it was “do you remember when?”
Then there was the Harvey. Fair and we old-timers “remembering when.” Some of Harvey’s newer families and younger people might find it interesting to look back on the Fair’s history.
The Harvey Fair commenced in 1945 and has continued since that time with the exception of one year, when the event had to be cancelled due to Polio. In 1945 a small group of community minded citizens took on the challenge of building a community hospital. A summer home in the Village was donated for this purpose and thus the process commenced. The area was solicited for funds, which was very successful.
To operate and maintain the hospital an annual event to raise money
would be a necessity. Someone came up with the idea of a Horse Pull, which had proven to be a success in such areas as Fredericton Junction.
In the fall of 1945, the event was held and in spite of the inclement weather (this being Oct.) the event was a success.
The time was moved ahead the following year to August and has not changed. The support given this event throughout the area has been tremendous and thus its great success, and perhaps unequaled anywhere. The common name for this event was Hospital Day, the Hospital Board being the organization body.
The hospital opened in February 1948, first operated by the Red Cross
until. 1957, when the community took over under the Board of Directors. In In
1963 the Hospital Board found the hospital inadequate to provide the needs of the community and plans were put in place to build a new and modern hospital. The new hospital opened in Feb. 1965 and was operated by the community until 1987 when the Provincial Government took over all hospitals in New Brunswick.
With this change the annual event to raise funds to finance and operate the hospital was no longer necessary and thus a public meeting was held to decide the future of the Harvey Fair. The event, having been so successful it was decided to continue with the proceeds directed toward community needs such as the Fire Department, community organizations, upgrading of graveyard etc. The name chosen to be given the event was Harvey Benefit Day.
HARVEY FAIR IS BANGUP SUCCESS – August 17, 1966
HARVEY STATION – Everybody loves a parade and Harvey was no exception Wednesday when shortly before 11 a.m., undaunted by dull threatening skies, residents and spectators lined the pavement to view the colorful parade which marked the official opening of the 20th Annual Harvey Community Hospital Benefit Day Fair.
Mile Long – More than a mile long the grand spectacle wound its way through the business section of the town to the fair grounds for the judging and awarding of prizes.
Many in the large crowds of onlookers described it as the best ever held in this small farming community despite the fact that several entries were forced to withdraw because of inclement weather.
An array of vintage automobiles dating back to a 1904 Brush was prominent in the parade with Gordon. Armstrong’s recently acquired 1917 Stanley Steamer in the fore-front. Although most were from 50 to 70 years old, each antique purred quietly into view, proudly sporting new and colorful coats they were wearing for the occasion.
Other Models _ Also included in this category were a 1910 Hupmobile and a 1923 Model. T Ford, both from the Armstrong collection; 1934 Nash, Edison Commings, Pokiok; 1949 Teetster, Capital Garage, Fredericton; 1931. Chev. Special Sedan, Hubert Atkinson, Fredericton; 1920 Dodge Touring, Ralph Dingee, Fredericton; 1931 Model A Ford, Valter Dresser, Calais; 1927 Studebaker, Merl Culligan, Woodstock; 1925 Chevrolet, Revel Crawford, Houlton, Me.; 1927 Model A Ford, Ray Salisbury, Houlton; 1925 Chevrolet, Ron Corey, Harvey; 1915 Model T Ford, Dr. George Fletcher, Harvey. A 1917 Stanley Steamer aroused the most interest among the spectators, due to the fact that it is the only one of its kind in Eastern Canada.
Leading the parade in sharp contrast to the cars of yester-year were the 1966 convertibles carrying the recently crowned Miss New Brunswick Wanda Glass of Bath; dark haired, attractive ‘Miss Harvey of 1965, Miss Winter Queen of 1965, Miss Caroline Jones; and Miss Cheryl Hood of Harvey. Directly behind were the aspiring young beauties for this year’s crown.
Floats Judged _ The colorful float entries were ingeniously designed as well as varied and original. All floats were judged by a panel of three, Mrs. C.E. Robison, Fredericton; Al Smith of Rye, New Hampshire and Mrs. George Rattigan of Bath, New Brunswick.
The Corey Sales and Service bowling league float was awarded the “most original” prize money for their portrayal of the popular TV program of Batman and Robin. The float was equipped with its own fan club of children as it proceeded along the parade route.
“Most beautiful” honors went to the Harvey Hospital Aid. This striking entry of white, pink and green was shaped like a three-layer anniversary cake, topped with the numeral 20.
The Acton and Cork Hospital Aid entry took top honors in the “most humorous” category, with their entry entitled, “Dr. Do-Little and his Nurses, Dopey and Mopey”.
Business Float – The best business float entry, won by Corey Lumber Company, was rather unique and in keeping with the forest protection theme. It was a miniature replica of the Harvey forest fire lookout tower and surrounding area.
Miscellaneous top honors went to the McAdam Sparkles entry. These are the only group of young firefighters in the Maritimes.
Prizes for decorated bicycles went to Pamela Moffitt, Gwendolyn Piercy and Brenda McGee.
Other float entries and their sponsors included: The Harvey Red Sox, St. Andrew’s Sunday School; Briggs and. Little Woolen. Mill; Tenting, York Mills Hospital Aid; Maritime Plaids, Corey Sales and Service; and business entries Earl Patterson Garage; Campburn Farms and Harvey Fire Department.
Bagpipes – The air rang with the sound of the bagpipes as the smart stepping tartan clad members of the Junior Kiwanis Pipe Band came into view.
Also featured were show horses from the farm of Gilbert Robinson and Neil Burden, ponies and decorated carriages.
Rev. William Randall. and Rev. S. Jackson acted as masters of ceremonies during the morning program and the judging of the floats. The young beauty contestants were introduced prior to the awarding of prizes.
A capacity audience was on hand during the afternoon which saw 27 teams
competing for top money. –
Note: The above report was from a 1966 newspaper.
Oldtimers reading this will note the changes which have taken place over the years — some changes we like and others we don’t — but then life is a progression of changes – and so life goes on. Enjoy it.
Source: Rev. Bill Randall’s “From The Scrapbook Vol. One.”
