The Cowichan Exhibition, established in 1868, is one of British Columbia’s oldest agricultural fairs, celebrating over 150 years of community tradition. Its legacy reflects the Cowichan Valley’s rich agricultural history and the enduring spirit of its residents.​

A Storied History

The exhibition’s origins trace back to the Cowichan Agricultural Society’s establishment in 1868, with the first Agricultural Hall constructed in 1888 for under $400. This hall served the community until 1969. The fair has evolved through various phases, including the introduction of sheep farming in the 1920s, the construction of a new Agricultural Hall in 1914, and the challenges faced due to structural issues and land ownership disputes in the mid-20th century. Despite these hurdles, the exhibition continued to thrive, adapting to the changing times while preserving its agricultural roots. ​

Celebrating Community and Agriculture

Today, the Cowichan Exhibition remains a vibrant celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage. The annual fair features livestock shows, hall exhibits, midway rides, and live entertainment, drawing thousands of visitors each year. Recent events have included diverse attractions such as FMX freestyle motocross, dairy goat shows, sheep shearing demonstrations, and performances by local bands. Mellor Hall showcases a wide array of exhibits, from produce and flowers to crafts and photography, highlighting the talents and creativity of the community.

A Legacy of Resilience and Innovation

The exhibition’s history is marked by resilience and innovation. In 2009, the fairgrounds relocated to a new site on Mays Road, overcoming challenges such as land use restrictions and infrastructure development. The community’s dedication ensured the fair’s continuity, with events like Sunfest helping to raise awareness and support for the new location. These efforts culminated in the successful reopening of the fair in its new home, continuing the tradition of celebrating agriculture and community.

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future

The Cowichan Exhibition’s legacy is preserved through exhibits like “The Cowichan Exhibition: 150 Years of Growing 1868–2018,” designed by the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives. This exhibit, displayed at Exhibition Park, offers a glimpse into the fair’s rich history, featuring photographs and artifacts that tell the story of its evolution. Additionally, a book titled For 150 Years of Growing, authored by current president Tony Irwin, delves deeper into the exhibition’s history, providing a comprehensive account of its journey over the past century and a half. ​Purchase a copy through our office for 20$ or email cowex@shaw.ca and we will ship you a copy for 25$ (shipping included)

The Cowichan Exhibition stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Cowichan Valley community. Its rich history and continued success reflect a deep commitment to preserving agricultural traditions while embracing innovation and community engagement.

1870 – Archdeacon Reece, one of the first missionaries to come when the Anglican diocese was established by the first settlers in the Valley. He farmed the land to make ends meet and was largely responsible for establishing the Agriculture Society. This picture was likely taken close to where Tzouhalem Rd runs past the St. Peter’s Church property. The original church sat on the same site as the current church is located. (Photo: CVMA 1997.03.9.5).
A Home for the Fair : The First Agricultural Hall Maple Bay, Surveyed as a townsite in the 1850s, became a main port of entry and a commercial and transportation hub. The Cowichan Agricultural Society decided in 1869 that Maple Bay would be an idea place to build their first Agricultural Hall. After being given a 20-acre reserve on which to hold their Exhibitions, the Board of Directors made the following motion: “That a vote of thanks be tendered to the Governor for his kindness in granting the Society a portion of land at Maple Bay and that Mr. Morley be request ed to transmit the same to his Excellency.” (Photo: CVMA 1990.02.4.1)
Prize-winning Butter (1873) – Dairy farms, prevalent in the Cowichan Valley, produced prize-winning butter for many decades. At the 1873 Exhibition, Mr Leask won for the best five pounds of fresh better and at the 1888 Exhibition, Mr. W.D. Mainguy won for the best ten pounds of salt butter. The first Cowichan Creamery, featured here, was established in 1985 partly as a response to the need for a standardized quality of butter. The James Evans farm, seen on the left side of the photograph, became a future site of the Cowichan Exhibition. (Photo: CVMA 1980.01.2.6).
1888 – The first Agricultural Hall was built for less than $400. It proved to be quite an investment as it wasn’t torn down until 1969, at the age of 81. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.6.602).
New Buildings for a New City (1911) – The building boom of the early 20th century in Duncan was in keeping with Canada’s optimism at the same time. Striking new buildings like the Duncan Public School, the Post Office and the second Duncan Train Station were erected during these years. Duncan’s rural face changed with the addition of services like the power plant and the King’s Daughters’ Hospital. There was substantial growth taking place in the agriculture in the Cowichan Valley, as well; it was decided in 1911 that the Exhibition had outgrown the 1888 Hall and that a larger, more modern building should replace it. Here, a horse judging competition is underway during the 1911 Fall Fair. (Photo: CVMA 1991.03.1.13).
Assemble the Sheep! (1916) – The first flocks of sheep were introduced to British Columbia around 1840 when the Hudson’s Bay Company established farming operations on Vancouver Island to provide food for a growing colonial presence. Sheep farming would be come important to the Cowichan knitting industry in the 1920s. The 1927 Exhibition featured the new component: the Vancouver Island Sheep Fair. It was described as being the greatest number of sheep ever assembled at any exhibition in the province by officials if the Provincial Sheep Promotion Committee. They also said it was the intention to make Duncan the sheep exhibition centre of the island. (Photo: CVMA 1983.06.4.1).
Best in Show (1916) – “COWICHAN’S WARTIME FALL FAIR IS SPLENDID SUCCESS; FINE DOG SHOW: Largest and Best Ever Held on Vancouver Island. The Cowichan dog show was a splendid success and contributed greatly to the attractions of the fall fair. Mr. J.W. Creighton, Victoria, adjudicated and did much to ensure its success was enthusiastic over the result. There were 108 dogs shown, and the competition was very keen in many classes.” Cowichan Leader, September 28, 1916. The Dog Show became such a successful event that it received equal billing with the boxing contests and the 1917 Fall Fair. (Photo: CVMA 1988.08.2.7).
A Very Royal Visit (1919) – H.R.H Edward, the Prince of Wales visited Cowichan in 1919 during his Canadian Royal Tour to open the “Victory Exhibition”, a celebration of the end of WWI. “This was without a doubt the biggest celebrity visit the Fall Fair has ever had. The excitement in Cowichan over his visit combined with the patriotic fervor, so soon after the war, was at a fever pitch,” the Cowichan Leader exuberantly reported. In preparation for the Prince’s walk between the Duncan Train Station and the Agricultural Hall, Mayor Thomas Pitt closed streets and businesses. This was to be the most celebrated event in the Exhibition’s history. (Photo: CVMA 1995.11.6.1).
Structural Concerns and the Supreme Court of Canada (1920) – The Agricultural Hall built in 1914 was impressive buts structural faults soon emerged. Huge wooden buttresses were erected along the hall’s sides and roof, reinforced with trusses in its interior. Another serious issue came to light regarding ownership of the land on which the hall was built. The Cowichan Agricultural Society believed they had purchased five acres of Cowichan Reserve Land, but the government did not have the legal authority to sell it, so a 99-year lease was issued instead but was never ratified. After a legal struggle that went to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Society lost and was forced to vacate the hall in 1955. The building was demolished on October 16, 1969. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.734).
Battle of the Districts (1926) – Although district competitions had been held before, in 1926 the Cowichan Leader started sponsoring the contest and presenting the winner with a Shield for a trophy. The Challenge Shield was “emblematic of district exhibit hall superiority” and was held each year at the Cowichan Fall Fair. The winners of the first shield was the Somenos district and this picture shows Cowichan’s entry in the Challenge Shield contest. (Photo: Cowichan Exhibition Archives)
Sports at “Strawberry Hill” (1920s) – Show jumping was a popular sport at the Fall Fair. Kate Buckmaster on her mount “Bonnie Doon” rides at the Exhibition Grounds near the Mound, a small tree-covered area also known as “Strawberry Hill”, next to the Agricultural Hall. The Cowichan Merchants building can be seen in the background. (Photo: CVMA 1998.10.5.1).
Cancelling the Fair (1940): WWII After cancelling the 1939 Fair in WWII, the Cowichan Agricultural Society held a one-day fair on Labour Day in 1940. The Agricultural Hall and the Armory had been leased to the military, so the Fair was held at Lowhill Park, a horse racetrack centered between Alderlea and James Streets. “One-day Fall Fair Pleases Spectators: Fully 1500 people enjoyed the annual Cowichan Fall Fair at Lowhill Park on Monday. Though held entirely out of doors and on a single day, it probably gave as much pleasure to most spectators as the bigger events of former years. This was because the events most attractive to spectators – light horse classes, logging sports and highland dancing, with the first-aid competitions and horse racing added – were all crowded into one afternoon, providing a five-ring circus of fun,” reported the Cowichan Leader, September 5, 1940. (Photo: CVMA 12.2011.3.6.1)
Memories of the Market (1940s) – Duncan’s Public Market, the forerunner of the Farmers Market, was inaugurated on October 31, 1914, and operated from stalls along Government Street, adjacent to the Agricultural Hall. “The stalls are to be provided free of charge for the outset. Local people only may be stall holders. Local produce only may be sold and white people only may sell,” the October 22, 1914 Cowichan Leader reported. The October 29 edition clarified, “It is understood that, while the stipulation is made that only white people may sell in the market, Indians will not be excluded.” It closed in the 1950s when the Agricultural grounds were reclaimed by the Somenos Band. The Cowichan Agricultural Society and the Exhibition were then moved to Pioneer Park. (Photo: CVMA 2007.9.3.1).
One Society Becomes Two (1949) – The land ownership dispute between the Cowichan Agricultural Society and the Somenos band, as well as the ongoing structural problems of the 1914 Agricultural Hall, resulted in the creation of a separate society: the Cowichan Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition was the forerunner of today’s Cowichan Exhibition Society. It was formed in 1949 and incorporated in 1940 for the sole purpose of managing the Fall Fairs and avoiding the legal issues of the Cowichan Agricultural Society, which eventually lead to the demolition of both Halls. This photo, taken in 1969) shows the demolition of the original hall. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.603)
Welcome All Entries (1951) – “INDIAN DIRECTORS LEND A HAND PLANS FOR EXHIBITION ROUNDING INTO SHAPE: A feature of the March meeting of the Cowichan Exhibition Board… was the discussion centering round the possibility of an Indian entry in the district exhibit class. The possibility of an East Indian entry and one from Chinese members of the community was also brough up and approved… Welcome Indian Entries: Mr. Ed Elliott, who had been appointed a director of the exhibition together with Chief C. Thorne, spoke for the Cowichan Indians and suggested that it be made clear that Indians could make entries in all open classes as well as any Indian sections.” Cowichan Leader, March 22, 1951. (Photo: CVMA 2004.07.3.200)
Mrs. Pat Charlie, Celebrity Knitter (1952) – “As a Cowichan she naturally knits the famous Indian sweaters, has been doing so for thirty-odd years. This very special sweater originated with her people. For many years she has been a consistent first prize winner at the local Agricultural fair. No other woman has been given as many special commissions to knit sweaters for the distinguished people. In fact, I look for the day when no one will feel he has arrived at real fame until he has been presented with a sweater from Mrs. Charlie’s hands!” E. Blanche Norcross, The Warm Land. Mrs. Pat Charlie (centre) in 1952, with Mrs. Jack Young (right), Mayor J.C. Wragg (left). (Photo: CVMA 2004.07.3.205).
Flowers at the Lath House (1963) –  For the 1963 Exhibition a new outdoor location was selected for the flower show. A lath house measuring 60 by 24 feet was built just east of the Fair’s office building. This gave more room for the flower show and freed up space in the curling rink for their exhibitions. The lath house had the advantage of water being available throughout the building. Another advantage was a dedicated preparation area for getting the exhibits ready plus light was installed for use at night. It was hope that the flowers would last longer and look better in the cooler outside location. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.859)
Showing Off the Best… (1960’s) – “The Cowichan Exhibition was the central event on Cowichan’s calendar. From all over the district gardeners and farmers lugged their produce and animals for display: giant gourds, Cox’s orange pippin apples, barred rock chickens, jars of plum jam, honey, pickles, pies, children’s art, handicrafts. The valley was like a giant garden and the fair was the public pantry where it showed off its goods,” wrote Tom Henry in Small City in a Big Valley. During the remainder of the year, the Agricultural Hall was the site of gala balls – particularly during the World Wars – dances, meetings, musical performances; it was the place where Duncanites socialized. (Photo: CVMA 1989.05.2.15).
…and the Biggest (1967) – Peter Stone, who was president of the Cowichan Exhibition in 1967, is seen here with his wife, Pat, holding a giant stem of kale. Giant vegetables inspired activities such as the Exhibition’s firs Zucchini Race in 2011. “You would not believe the creativity,” said [Cowichan Exhibition president Fred] Oud. “There was just one rule: the axle had to go through the body of the zucchini, and after that you could do whatever you wanted.” Cowichan Leader, September 14, 2011. (Photo: CVMA Img523).
Centennial of Confederation (1967) – Canada’s Centennial year – 1967 – saw a record attendance in excess of 10,000 at the Exhibition. “The hall displays included a very attractive and popular lapidary section which was bigger and better than ever; an Indian section, colored slides, vegetables, produce, art, needlework and this year a Regional College booth at which CSSS education television students showed a film.” Cowichan Leader, September 13, 1967 (Photo: CVMA 16.2003.8.6.878)
4-H Excellence (1970) –  In 1962, Jersey Show cattle was singled out for praise by an expert in the field, Mr. J. Hume Grisdale, secretary-manager of the Canadian Jersey Cattle Club, who was visiting from Toronto. He felt the Exhibition was the equal of any of the same size in the country and that the Jersey Cattle were of very high quality. Here, at the 1970 4-H Showmanship Championship, Lisa Atkinson and Glenda Mutrie pose with their Jersey calves, and Carol Roberts poses with her Holstein. Children who belonged to the 4-H Club (‘head’, ‘heart’, ‘hands’ and ‘health’) had the opportunity to improve farming and farm-homemaking skills through hands-on learning. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.860).
A Judge’s Duties (1970) – At the January 30, 1869 Committee meeting, plans for the Fall Fair included the following decision: “That the judges of the different classes be selected…whose duty it shall be to submit to the Society a report in support of their decisions on the day of the Exhibition.” By 1870, the Committee decided “that the Judges be empowered to withhold the first, second or both prizes when in their opinion the articles exhibited are not of sufficient merit and that they also be empowered to award special prizes.” One hundred years later in 1970 Mrs. Peggy Harvie and Mrs. Dorothy Craig judged entries in the domestic service division. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.858).
Fun on the Midway (1971) – Over 17,000 people attended the Exhibition in 1971. The midway that year thrived and the crowd was thick around the log burling tank. “One of my earliest memories is from the Cowichan Exhibition. I was a preschooler perched on my dad’s shoulders as we watched an archery demonstration. I also have vague memories of being on midway rides with dad. This may be typical of people’s early memories of the Exhibition: visiting as a child with family, seeing things and having fun.” Tony Irwin, 2018. (Photo: CVMA 2003.8.2.519).
New Property, New Challenges (2009) – After 4 years of searching and ironing out financial details, the new site for the Cowichan Exhibition at Mays Rd., became a reality. However, the new site brought some new challenges: the land was in the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) which limited its use, the highway access needed upgrading, there was no reliable water source and lots of leveling of the property would need to be done to suit the Exhibition’s infrastructure. Some of these challenges were ironed out with the sale of the Pioneer Park land, but clearing and leveling, along with working around the water line easement for the Crofton Mill that divided the new property, was the Cowichan Exhibition’s responsibility. Getting everything done in time for the fair proved to be a feat too great, so the fair was cancelled in 2009. (Photo: Cowichan Exhibition Archives, Text: “150 Years of Growing, pg. 162).
Sunfest Calls Exhibition Park Home (2010) – Sunfest held its 9th country music festival at the grounds a month before the 2010 Grand Opening of the Fair. It helped to bring public awareness to the new site of the fair. Over the next 5 years that Sunfest was held on site it helped make improvements to the grounds like paving the access to the main gate, leveling high spots in the field and improving drainage, things that the Exhibition couldn’t afford to do on its own. (Photo: Cowichan Exhibition archives, Text: “150 Years of Growing, pg. 169)
The Fair (2013) –The Cowichan Exhibition, known as “The Fair,” is a 156-year-old annual event in Cowichan that continues to thrive to this day. This cherished tradition features a vibrant array of agricultural exhibits, captivating livestock shows, exhilarating carnival rides, and live entertainment. Drawing in thousands of visitors to our grounds each year, The Fair remains a lively celebration of the region’s enduring farming heritage. Despite the passage of time, this beloved event continues to stand as a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving and sharing its agricultural legacy.

Present Day The Cowichan Exhibition serves as a dynamic host for a myriad of events, providing a welcoming space for various local organizations to showcase their talents and passions. This vibrant venue not only accommodates traditional agricultural showcases but also opens its doors to a diverse array of activities. The Cowichan Exhibition stands as a versatile hub, fostering a sense of community engagement and celebration by offering a platform for local organizations to shine in their respective endeavors.