Resurgence (1899-1909)
New adventures were awaiting the Edmonton Agricultural Society (EAS)
between 1899 and 1909, a time that has come to be known as the
resurgence period.
At the turn of the century, the increasingly sophisticated
organization was seeking a permanent site. Klondike fever had thrust the
city into a boom and attracted resources that benefited the EAS. Members
decided to incorporate in 1899 and collected the pledges of 117 people
who felt the society’s existence and public displays would contribute to
the greater good of the community. Change in organizational functioning
led to a renaming, and the society came to be known as the Edmonton
Industrial Exhibition Association (EIEA).
An important organizational shift denoted by the new name was the
group’s embracement of a role in areas of commerce and culture that
reached beyond rural based practices. This did not decrease the group’s
popularity in the least, and in 1908, the organization (then 97 members
strong) secured its charter and again renamed itself—this time becoming
the Edmonton Exhibition Association (EEA).
Wishing to demonstrate its permanence, a new location was sought following negotiations with the Edmonton Board of Trade and the Hudson’s
Bay Company for acquisition of the Rossdale Flats property overlooking the North
Saskatchewan River. These 55 acres hosted the 1900 Dominion Day
Celebration (drawing a crowd of 3,500 people) and remained the official
exhibition site until 1910.
Thoroughbred racing drew a dedicated crowd at the time of
the EIEA’s
move, so it was not surprising when the newly constructed racetrack and
grandstand were used at capacity for the historical Dominion celebration
marking Canada’s 36th birthday.
Newly connected riverbanks allowed for ease of movement through the
Low Level Bridge leading directly into the exhibition’s vicinity. With
scheduled trains servicing the exhibition throughout the day, more
people had an opportunity to attend the festivities. In a matter of a
few years, Donald Ross’s once-flooded estate had been developed into a
prosperous and exciting public venue.
New facets to the exhibition surged during the EIEA’s renewal. Exhibitor
cattle pens and racehorse stalls were new additions to the volunteer
association’s facilities and were complemented by natural resting spots
for the many animals competing for prize money. Platform attractions
included performances by aerial artists, musical performers, juggling acts, unicyclists, high divers, and football games
between the "fat" and "lean" men. A band tournament offering a $100
CDN prize drew bands from as far as Banff, providing exhibition goers with
daily musical pleasures.
More cause for celebration came when Alberta was made a province in
1905, and Edmonton was declared its capital. Dignitaries arrived in the
city and local residents were full of energetic delight. Seizing the
moment before them, the EIEA hosted a parade to mark this
occasion and, with a rush of confidence, decided that with its growing
prominence, it needed more space to continue developing its capacity.
During the organization's resurgence period, the City of Edmonton, had begun
envisioning the Rossdale site as a potential power plant. Given the amiable
relationship between the two parties, a deal was struck. The EIEA sold
Rossdale Flats to the city for $60,000 CDN, and while the transfer of
land was recorded in 1907, the exhibition grounds remained at the site
for another two years.
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