The Official Website of Evergreen Park

Evergreen Park History - 1952-1969

In 1952, the first Fair Queen, Patricia Patrick (now Pat Olsen) was crowned. Pat recalls “everything was regal - red carpet, cape and crown. Flag bearers with horses in front, a royal coach...and a $100 prize!”

“The South Peace stepped into the rodeo major leagues this week with the presentation of the first annual rodeo at Grande Prairie. A group of 32 Grande Prairie businessmen, making up the non-profit Rodeo Association, had guaranteed the estimated $14,000 involved in staging the rodeo and grandstand show.”
- local media report from 1954
“Rain washed out the 6th annual fair, causing a deficit of $30. A giant bingo party, sponsored by the Kinsmen helped to recoup the losses, as well as return of awards and contributions from the government and 4-H.”
- local media report from 1956
“It was a real family time. It was hard work but a lot of fun. We got up early in the morning to get the pigs scrubbed and loaded, the ducks off the pond, the geese and chickens and get them into town. The sheaves were a lot of work - picking just the right stalks of grain In the spring, I couldn’t wait to get the seed books to figure out which varieties would grow the best here in the north! We made enough money from the prize money to send the kids back to school in the fall.”
-Marion Leggatt, recalling the county fairs

In 1960, a new exhibit building, Centennial Hall, was constructed, followed by a livestock barn in 1968. Frontier Days and mascot Frontier Freddie were introduced in 1966. Racing had been around since the very early days - after all, if there were horses and men there would likely be racing. In 1964, starting gates were constructed on the race track, built entirely by volunteers from donated materials. The spring loaded gates ensured a fair and proper start to the races.

In 1968, the Ag Society received permission from the Alberta Racing Commission to have pari-mutuel racing for the three days of the fair. This instantly created a participation factor and horse racing became a big industry in the Peace River Country.

After a 30 year absence, standardbreds retuned to the race program in 1969. Flat races, barrel racing and pony chariots rounded out the fair program.

1910

The Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural & Exhibition Society is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1910 which oversees the development & daily operations of Evergreen Park.

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1911

By 1911, Alphaeous Patterson and his sons had erected the first frame building on what was to be later known as Richmond Avenue. Located where the CIBC stands today, the Patterson building housed the post office, land office and other departments. The second annual fair was held on the first floor.

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1912 - 1914

The Province of Alberta issued the original certificate of organization to the Grande Prairie Regional Agricultural and Exhibition Society on January 1, 1912. Exhibits were moved to the Agricultural Grounds. The minutes of the second meeting of the newly formed Council of Rural Municipality of Grande Prairie #739...

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1919 - 1951

The minutes were destroyed by fire in 1919. In 1920, the Agricultural Society purchased a quarter of land from A. Carveth, NE 1/4 - 25 - 71 - 6 W6. The 1922 Grande Prairie Fall Fair was bigger and better than ever in spite of WWI aftermath and hard times in the district...

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1952 - 1969

In 1952, the first Fair Queen, Patricia Patrick (now Pat Olsen) was crowned. Pat recalls “everything was regal - red carpet, cape and crown. Flag bearers with horses in front, a royal coach...

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1970 - 1994

Spring of 1978 brought the first Grande Prairie Stompede, promoting growth in the chuckwagon industry and attracting a whole new market...

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2000 - 2010

The turn of the century marked the beginning of a decade of transformation of Evergreen Park. A robust regional economy brought heightened expectations and the need for modernization of Evergreen Park’s facilities...

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2012

August 25th of 2012 Evergreen Park celebrated the 100th year of the agricultural society.