Shawville Walking Tour

If the soul of the rural community lies within its churches, then surely it’s heart is in its fairgrounds. In an agricultural community few events are anticipated as eagerly as the annual exhibition. The Pontiac Agricultural Society, established in 1856, held the first fair that year, giving the local farmers an opportunity to both show off their agricultural skills, and also to learn new farming skills and methods. With the addition of permanent grounds, permanent buildings, and a large dose of community spirit, Shawville Fair has grown into one of largest fairs in the region.

Before the fair became five days, it spanned only three. The event was also held later in September. So, occasionally the date would fall on the Shawville Lions’ meeting night, which the Lions gathered in the Octagonal exhibition hall on the fairgrounds.

Dale Thomson – at the time – 87 years old – related one particular meeting that had some added entertainment because of the fair. “Those days they used to have girly shows; strippers would come and put on a little teaser in front, and then they would go inside the tent. People would buy tickets to go in to see the full show. One of the girls was ‘Satina, the Goddess of Fire’. She would swallow fire and spit it out. She was introduced as being so hot she couldn’t stay up in the Yukon. The lights were turned off and she began her performance. At one point, she takes a wobble, she might have had a drink too many, and one of the sticks that was on fire catches the plastic tablecloths. The cook ran out of the kitchen and got pails of water to put the fire out. It caused a hell of a commotion. It was priceless!” chuckles Dale.

The construction of an indoor area on the grounds in 1913 caused great excitement in town. Shawville has a wonderful sporting tradition and the original arena and the present structure have been the site of many a memorable night. Also on the fairgrounds is Shawville’s former train station. Moved to its present site in the 1970s, the station now preserves the past of Pontiac County as a museum.