The land of the agricultural exhibition

Approximately where the building in the background is in this photo is the current community center and La Maison des Jeunes du Bas Saint-François

The large lot on which the Vincent-Lemire elementary school, the Community Center and the youth center, the playgrounds and sports fields are located today has been an important place for cultural and social activities for 125 years!

The Yamaska County Agricultural Society held its first agricultural exhibition in Saint-François-du-Lac in 1852, but it was from 1898 that the agricultural exhibition was held on this land. 

The first pavilion was built there that year. 

Other buildings were added over time: a pigsty, a sheepfold, a stable and a shelter for horned animals. In 1937, a platform and a performance stage were added to the buildings. A large oval-shaped running track surrounded the field. In the middle of all this, there was a hexagonal-shaped kiosk. It was the stand for conferences and shows.

A large wooden gate adorned with many globes to illuminate the facade marked the entrance to the land. In 1960, the admission price for an adult was 50 cents and 25 cents for a child.

Calves are presented to the public seated in the stands.

In the early 1950s, the Agricultural Society wanted to mark the centenary of its agricultural fair with the inauguration of a two-storey building named the Palace of Industry and Commerce.

This building was located where the Community center and the Maison des jeunes are today. The Leisure Committee acquired it in 1967 and built playgrounds and made interior improvements.

The annual agricultural fair was held over 3 consecutive days and was the most anticipated event for the population of the county.

 On the program: parades of farm animals according to categories, bicycle races, competitions of all kinds, kiosks of crafts and kitchen products, jams, flowers, various activities for children, dance, music, prize giving and trophies to champions.

The agricultural exhibition took place in Saint-François-du-Lac for 114 years, from 1852 to 1966.

The pavilion for announcements and shows.

Animals led by their breeder leave the exhibition grounds, 1951.

This large lot is still today a gathering place for the community of Saint-François-du-Lac and the surrounding area, in all seasons.

It is here that from 1898, one of the most popular events was held: the annual agricultural exhibition, organized by the Yamaska County Agricultural Society.

It was an excellent showcase for everything related to agricultural production: livestock breeding, domestic and culinary arts, flowers, and more! The agricultural exhibition was the moment to celebrate the talent and the know-how of the many economic and social actors of the rural environment which still today, is a major sector of activity in this region.

Over time, activities for children, running or cycling, shows and dancing were added. The agricultural fair days were popular and busy.

The annual agricultural exhibition took place in Saint-François-du-Lac for 114 years, from 1852 to 1966. 

It is no coincidence that this place remains a place of social attraction: the community centre, la Maison des Jeunes du Bas-Saint-François and the various sports fields are located there.

CONSTANT, Jean-François. Les expositions agricoles et industrielles à Montréal en 1880 et 1884, Mémoire de Maîtrise, Département d’histoire, Université de Montréal, 2004,157 p.

HUDON-BEAUDET, Florence. Saint-François-du-Lac 1673-1998, Saint-François-du-Lac, 1999, 703 p.

Imprimerie J.-A. Emond. Album souvenir du centenaire de la Société d’agriculture du comté d’Yamaska : 1852-1952. Québec, s.n. 1952, 48 pages.

SOCIÉTÉ D’AGRICULTURE DU COMTÉ D’YAMASKA. Saint-François-du-Lac : Société d’agriculture du comté d’Yamaska, 1960, 1962, 1966.

BAnQ numérique – Patrimoine québécois :

        Le nouvelliste, 9 août 1962

        Courrier Sud, mercredi 17 août 1966

        Gazette de Sorel, samedi 30 octobre 1869

        La Patrie, vendredi 24 juillet 1953

Photo Credits:

Photo from the 1951 Agricultural Exhibition: GUIBORD, Joseph. Concours agricole, Saint-François-du-Lac, photographie, 1951, BAnQ Vieux-Montréal, Fonds Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, in BAnQ numérique.

Wooden gate: QUÉBEC, s.n. Album-souvenir du centenaire de la Société d’agriculture du comté d’Yamaska : 1852-1952, Sorel : Imprimerie J.-A. Emond, 1952, 48 p.

Central pavillon: HUDON-BEAUDET, Florence. Saint-François-du-Lac 1673-1998, Saint-François-du-Lac, 1999, page 624.

Animal Exit Parade: GUIBORD, Joseph. Concours agricole, Saint-François-du-Lac, photographie, 1951, BAnQ Vieux-Montréal, Fonds Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, in BAnQ numérique.