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Historical Synopsis
The Moose Jaw Agricultural Society was formed in the summer of 1884. The first Fair was held in October of the same year in the Florida McIntosh Hall, where the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa now stands. Exhibits were displayed inside the building with the livestock show in the adjacent parking lot and racetrack running from the CPR station north up Main Street. From 1884 to 1903 the Fair was held in numerous places including skating and curling rinks, the Town Hall, and vacant lots. In 1903, the Moose Jaw Agricultural Society purchased 36 acres from James Ross at the current Town ‘n’ Country Mall location. The Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1903 under the Companies Act of the Territories. By 1916, with the onset of World War 1, the Exhibition Company suspended operations. The Agricultural Society was re-established in 1936, under the name the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company and began to re-offer its annual Fair. Still located at the current Town ‘n’ Country Mall location, the grounds featured barns, outdoor grandstand and racetrack. Exhibits were displayed inside the neighbouring Armories.In 1973, the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company relocated to its present location at the Golden Mile Park. The arena and Heritage building were built first. Barns 5 and 6, two H huts and the new section of the grandstand from the stock car track were moved from the previous site. Two racetracks, the Jack Duncan Building and the Golden Nugget Casino were built at the new location.
Today Today the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company operates as a non-profit organization of volunteers and employees providing quality entertainment, recreation and education for rural and urban communities. Each year the Company presents the Farmer of the Year Award, Moose Jaw Hometown Rodeo, the Moose Jaw Annual Hometown Fair, Mud Fling and the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre. The Moose Jaw Exhibition Company employs 10 people, has a 21-member volunteer board of directors, works with hundreds of volunteers and hosts over 85,000 visitors each year.
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