History of the Coombs Fair

In 1913, a group of farmers from Saanich settled in the Hilliers area, and decided to hold a fall fair to show what could be grown and raised in this area. To the best of our knowledge, among them were:
Mr. & Mrs. George Moore,
Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Clarke and son Dick,
Mr. H. Burgoyne,
Mr. & Mrs. Hilliers,
Mr. Jack Boyd, and
Mr. & Mrs. Stevens, who owned the Hilliers store at one time.

Since then, only World War II interrupted an otherwise annual event. In 1921 the fall fair was held in Parksville, and then in 1924 the fair was held on what is now the Coombs Fairgrounds, the land acquired from Mr. Ford.

The association that ran the fair at that time was called the Cameron, Nanoose, Newcastle District Agricultural Fair.

In 1947, a new hall was built on the property by volunteer labour. The president at that time was Mr. Preston McGowan and the secretary was A.J. Mason. In 1948 and 1968 more land was acquired, the latter piece from Eli Iankow, bringing the property back to Burgoyne Road, and the association name was changed to the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association, as it is known today.

The fair is held annually at the Coombs Fairgrounds on the second weekend in August.

If anyone has more information or photos to add to our history, please contact a member of the association, or call Donna Furneaux at 752-9935.

For more info, contact Janet Boley, Fair Manager at 250-752-9757 or info@coombsfair.com