About
Milverton Agricultural Society
Our History
Making Tradition Meet Tomorrow since 1863
The Milverton Agricultural Society, is a volunteer-driven, community-minded, registered non-profit, charitable organization that became a legal entity in 1863. The objective of the Society is to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in the agricultural community.
The Board of Directors has fulfilled this goal by holding the annual Milverton Fair (now Milverton Fair Expo) offering a competitive venue where local citizens can enter their quality photographs, flowers, baking and handiwork to be viewed by friends, family and the community. Over the past 160 years the programming offered to the community has changed to reflect growth and diversification, but one thing is constant – the Milverton Agricultural Society is here to stay.
View our full lists of past Presidents and Royalty!
There have been many changes since 1863, including a name change in 1963, having originated as the Mornington Agricultural Society. In 1957, the Society entered into an agreement with the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 565, and provides the use of the building at 24 Temperance Street to the Legion for their activities.
For those who enjoy baseball, Arand Field, also located on the Milverton Fairgrounds, has provided the community a place to play and watch this sport in a central location. In 1967 the Society applied for and received official charity status.
In 1991, the Society began a partnership with the Milverton Rodeo, providing the facilities and offering the food services for this profitable community event. In 2015 the rodeo was the first in Ontario to celebrate its 25th anniversary but reaching that milestone meant time for reflection and the difficult decision was made to end it on a high note.
In 1992, the Society donated over half (8 acres+) of the Fairgrounds to the former Village of Milverton and the property was used for the construction of the Perth East Recreation Complex (including the pool, banquet hall and the arena added in 2003). In addition to hosting our own events, the Society does partner with other groups to host community events like Milverton Oktoberfest. The Society is proud to rent facilities to the Milverton Horse Club which hosts competitions every summer, further fostering agricultural-interests for youth.
In 2008, the Society created Milverton's Earth Day event and the Milverton Farmers' Market - providing local awareness of our environment and local foods to our citizens to again improve the quality of life in and around our community and both were mainstays in Milverton for a decade.
Milverton Fair is also hometown of the most CNE Ambassadors ever (four since 2007) with Brittany Graul (2007), Erika Riddell (2010), Linda Slits (2012) and Vanessa Riddell (2018). Past Milverton Fair president, Robert Hargrave served as OAAS (Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies) president for 2013-14. The OAAS represents the over 200 Fairs in Ontario. Robert was the first president from Milverton to ever serve the provincial organization.
The Milverton Agricultural Society is very proud of the achievements made since 1863 and the Board of Directors, members and volunteers look forward to a vibrant and engaging future.
