CANNINGTON MANOR- The Cannington Manor Fair offers a vibrant celebration that brings together community members and visitors to experience the rich heritage and traditions of this historic village.
Held in the picturesque setting of Cannington Manor, Saskatchewan, the fair highlights a variety of events and activities that highlight the areas agricultural roots, cultural history, and community spirit.
The event was held on August 4, and many people attended the fair to see what it was like back in the old days, with many of the stone foundations still in place.
Cannington Manor, established in 1882 by English settlers, was once a bustling centre of culture and education on the Canadian prairies.
The village, with its Victorian-style buildings and thriving agricultural cultural community, has long been a symbol of pioneer spirit and resilience.
The fair dates back to the early 1900’s and it continues to honour this legacy by preserving and celebrating the traditions of the past.
In the many places where only the corner stones of the foundations lay, a plaque is placed explaining the importance of the building that once stood there.
Most of the buildings are gone, but the memories of the good old days are still present when visiting this village.
The Mitre Hotel built in 1886 served the settlers of the region as a gathering place. It served hot meals and housed 8 bedrooms for travelers and men that came for work. It also was a place for settlers to stay until their homes were completed.
The Moose Mountain Trading Company was determined to prosper, and they built a store in 1886, providing the many needs of the people that decided to settle in the village.
The All Saints Anglican Church remains strong and fast in the village. The tiny church has limited seating for people and still has the bell that chimes throughout the village.
A Land Titles Office once stood in Cannington Manor and was constructed in 1882. This building was well received by the community as it saved the villagers from traveling to Moosomin or Manitoba to register their land. When the CPR branch line was constructed several kilometres south in 1900, the office was moved to Arcola to accommodate incoming settlers.
The Blacksmiths Shop also remains standing and two blacksmiths showed the crowd the importance of the heat with the coal. The hotter the coal burns the easier it was to melt the steel to insure proper fitting of the shoes on horses.
Hume Robertson was brought into Cannington Manor in 1887 as he was Canadian born and had more knowledge of the western agriculture and winters. The Blacksmith Shop was a popular place in the winter as the warmth from the stove was a welcoming thing in the prairie winters.
A one room house stands alone near the beginning of the town. Although small, it had a wood cooking stove in the middle of the building, with a kitchen table and chairs sitting on one side, a bed and sitting area on the other side. The space was well utilized.
Outside the small house was Randi Leonard offering homemade ice cream to those who wanted an old fashion treat.
Not much was needed in those days, as long as they had food on the table and a roof over their heads was the most important aspect of life.
A large home at the back of the village was the Maltby house. Ernest Maltby was a businessman seeking new opportunities. He immigrated to Canada and became one of the developers of Cannington Manor.
He wanted respect so he built a large and extravagant home with the finest furniture, but it was not the largest home in the surrounding communities.
Maltby introduced games to the community such as croquet, horseshoes, and lawn tennis. He brought English sports as well such as the steeplechase, cricket, and fox hunting.
The day of the fair children and adults could be seen playing these games as they are still available.
Saddleridge Petting Zoo brought in a wide selection of animals for the visitors to enjoy and The Oklahoma Express horses also attended. They come to Canada for several months in the summer and attend functions across the prairies.
The petting zoo had a steady flow of kids checking out the rabbits, goats, chickens, donkey, miniature pony, and lama’s.
A large crowd of people attended the event, as they wandered the road and read the signs placed where a building once stood.
The Cannington Manor Fair is more than just an event, it is a testament to the strength and unity of the community, and the volunteers work hard to keep this tradition going.
The fair not only preserves the village’s rich history but also creates new traditions and memories for future generations.
It is a shining example of how traditions can be preserved and cherished for generations to come.
