Discussions

In 1932 the Provincial Exhibition Shareholders had suggested concentrating on Midway and Grandstand attractions to save on livestock prize money.  
 
In 1934 the Directors knew certain elation with the first time appearance of the Royal American Shows with all its unusual devices, and self-proclamation as the “Greatest Show on Earth.”  
 
They gave canvas top performances uninterrupted by weeping skies, and had patrons forming long lines to view, for a price the armoured automobile used by Chicago Gangster King Al Capone.  
 
During the three-day exhibition of 1934 more money was exchanged in the name of entertainment than in the whole week, one year earlier when Castle-Ehrlich-Hirach commanded the “Amusement Aisle.”  
 
To be fair, in 1933 from the opening day the Big Show it was plagued by weather vagaries. Cyclonic winds slashed at the ‘Levity Lane’ stalls, destroyed tents, demolished stage settings, and injured performers.  
 
On another occasion an ensuing thunderstorm caused a ninety-degree ‘F’ temperature to tumble forty points within a few minutes.  
 
Patient Grand Stand audiences waited vainly on three successive afternoons, and evenings for the rains to end.  
 
Even with these atmospheric mishaps, but primarily through the first time introduction of advance sale of strip tickets, which offered a purchaser the added opportunity to win automobiles, the Directors considered the 1933 season a financial success.  
 
Certainly the military attractions were of major interest for both participants and observers on “Warriors Day” that included the reuniting of veterans of the 21st Canadian Mounted Rifles, 44th, 45th, 52nd, 79th, and 181st ‘Chums battalions.  
 
Also featured was a cooperative Canadian Legion – Great War Veterans’ “Somewhere in France” display, designed by Old Brigadier Laurence V. Smith that showed a war scene that included tin hat, gas mask, rude furniture, and other accoutrements, all portrayed in the required dirty condition.  
 
On “Music Day” band competition had gladdened the hearts of Wawanesians, and Killarneyites who’s respective Citizens Band were adjudged the best aggregations on the Fair Grounds.  
 
The new Shareholders of 1934 gave an approving nod as their Directorate envisioned an even bigger, and better 1935 Summer Frolic with the introduction of its first Rodeo.  
 
Source: Brandon a City, by G. F. Barker.