Fairs have been annual events in the Battlefords since the Town of Battleford held their first fair in October 1887. It had originally been planned for Oct. 8,1885, but was never held because of the Riel uprising. The first fair in North Battleford was held on Oct. 10, 1906. At that time there was a strong rivalry between the two communities.
The 1913 fair in North Battleford was held on Aug. 19 to 22. Organizers advertised an airship, fast horses, stock parade, thoroughbreds and bronco busters. Arabian acrobats, dancing geese and a midway were also part of the show. They had a full range of competitions including classes for standard bred horses, hackneys, roadsters and ladies' horses. There were over 30 entries in the Clydesdale class, 25 Percherons and Belgians. Cattle competitions included Ayreshires, grade cattle, beef breed, and dairy breed. Thirty Holsteins were exhibited. Prize winners listed included J. W. Brock, J.G. Walker, D.D. Campbell, W.H. Mortson and C. May. Sheep and hogs were also represented.
A wide variety of poultry breeds were shown - Brahamas, Buff Cochins, Partridge Cochins, Columbian Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, White Minorcas, White Leghorns, and Buff Orpingtons. Bronze turkeys, Aylesbury ducks and Pekin ducks were also displayed. Winning exhibitors included K. Finlayson, E.J. Thompson, Hill Bros. and Dr. Glass.
Prof. John Bracken BSA judged the numerous grain classes. Among the wheat varieties being displayed were Red Fyfe, Preston and Marquis. Prize winners included E.J. Thompson, K. Finlayson, J. Illingsworth, Mrs. R.A. English, Hill Bros., Dr. Glass, Mrs. Wm. Ellis and J.E. Foster.
The North Battleford Optimist (Aug. 27, 1913) reported "the arts building was, as usual, a favourite rendezvous for many who visited the fair, and all were amply repaid for their trouble in taking a pleasant ramble through the building for some of the most beautiful and artistic handiwork of the ladies was here displayed in great abundance, exhibits being present from points as far east as Woodstock and Toronto, Ont."
The North Battleford News reported "beautiful weather and well pleased crowds characterized North Battleford's Exhibition. Hotels were crowded and eating houses taxed to their limits. We certainly made good in the exhibition line and from now on will be classed with the few successful exhibitions being put on in Canada. On all three days, thousands upon thousands found their way to the grounds, some by bus, others by train and the bulk by autos."
The City of North Battleford had built a grandstand and several display buildings on the fair grounds. "The seating capacity of the grandstand and the bleachers was not sufficient to accommodate the big crowd there were at least 5,000 people on the grounds."
The newspaper reports "the performance of Blakely, the airship man was a marvel to all who saw him. The way he manoeuvred was a sight never to be forgotten. Charlie Fanset in his Case car tried him for a three-mile race, and although Charlie touched the 60-mile-an-hour gait, he was outclassed by the airship."
