Historical Society

125th Anniversary of Lethbridge Exhibition

The Lethbridge Exhibition had its start in 1897 as Lethbridge's first Agricultural Fair. The fair was held at Queen Victoria Park, which was created in 1891 when the Lethbridge Turf and Athletic Association leased 40 acres from the Alberta Railway and Coal Company. The property was fenced and barns were built. In 1896, the Lethbridge and District Agricultural Society was formed and took over the Turf Association’s 40acre tract.

In 1904, the first parade and rodeo was held as part of the Exhibition. In 1911, the Exhibition moved to its current location. The next year, Lethbridge was to host the Dry Farming Congress and wished to have a grand new space in which to showcase to the world. Just west of the new exhibition site, Henderson Park and Lake were developed at the same time and a new grandstand and exhibition buildings were built. The grand buildings are shown in the photograph.

Unfortunately, a fire in 1925 destroyed the 1911 Exhibition building. Heritage Hall, constructed in the Craftsman Mission Revival Style, with turrets and stucco, was built as a replacement to the exhibition buildings following the fire.

In the 1960s the annual fair at the Exhibition was renamed Whoop Up Days.

Lethbridge Historical Society

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Photo: Peel Collection Post Card Collection

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