What a great week so far!
Yes it is hot, but there are lots of places to get out of the sun and there has been a nice breeze at the exhibition each day.
So as of today, we have a sample of everything offered up at the Big Ex with our first musical performers taking the mainstage in the Plaza Ring.
Having covered the South Shore exhibition for decades, this year seems to be the happiest year I have witnessed in a long time. It seems like people are just so excited to be out mingling and enjoying an event. This might just be me and you could be reading this thinking, “he’s been in a padded room tooooo long!” haha. But the cheers last night as the ring announcer kicked off the wrestling match and the screams of excitement coming from the midway, I feel like this is a great year at the Big Ex so far.
Yesterday I had quite a chat with one of the long time exhibitors at the exhibition in Bridgewater. Mr. Henley was telling me about all the changes he has seen over the years at the Big Ex. The exhibition is into it’s 131st year this year and this gentleman is here connected to the show horses for his 80th exhibition in Bridgewater. He told me he was only 7 years old when he came to his first event and stayed in a bunk at the end of what is now the Pulling Horse barn. Only that barn at that time was out by the pulling ring, both located where the midway is now, right by Dufferin Street. Of course the horse racetrack was on the other side of Dufferin, where the plaza is now. I remember my grandfather talking about offering farrier services at the racetrack way back when. The former owner’s son once told me that the fastest horse to run the track along with the German Shepherd “guard dog” are also buried at the old track location… aka the Plaza.
Here is the proof I did not make this up.
DesBrisay Museum, Bridgewater – Bridgewater Horse Racing Track
A lot of changes over the past 130 years, but one thing that stays the same is that you cannot walk through the exhibition without seeing old friends and having fun. Still lots of time to check out this year’s event with horse and ox pulls, also mini and show horse events in the big ring with barrel racing and other light horse events in the back ring. Musical entertainment in the Main Building and evenings on the main outdoor stage.
On top of that you can visit with the animals or really get close at the Petting Barn as this is the largest agricultural show in the province.
Plan to check it out, maybe during a mealtime so you can enjoy some of the tasty spots to eat.
Hope to see you at the Big Ex!
Exhibition Schedule for 2022
Check out this exhibition photo from many years ago in Bridgewater.
South Shore Exhibition with Ferris Wheel
This video was put together for the 125th anniversary of the Big Ex, but there are a lot of things that are very similar 6 years later.