IOCO Fair 1919
IOCO Memories
Chapter 3
The first Ioco fair was held in 1918. The second, was documented with the Ioco Exhibition association prize book dated Saturday, September 6th, 1919.
The welcome mat was extended to all visitors with the erection of a wooden arch located at Refinery ground grounds on the road that lead up to the refinery tanks. It was festooned with cedar boughs and flowers. The sign read “Ioco Fair Welcome”.
The grounds sported large tents located on the hillside between the houses that were provided for the management families and the building known as “The Colony House”. This large four story building housed the school classroom, the school teacher and some single surveyors.
Ladies displayed and sold their wares in open air booths in aid of various organizations such as the “Ladies Aid”. Other non-profit groups from the local community sold food and beverages.
Persons in photo in front of the Union Jack flag are (L>R) Mrs. Suderfan and Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Dunlo.
Like most small town fairs, the larger tents would have featured exhibitions of home crafts, prize flowers and home grown vegetables vying for the first prize ribbon.
There were events that the children as well as the adults could participate in. The egg and spoon race, the potato sack race and the tug-o-war were held in the basketball court in front of The Colony House.
Foot races between adult males and females were run independently on the road on the refinery grounds.
The entire day’s events were overseen by a committee of men and women employed at the plant.
