Our History
Over 135 Years of Agriculture, Community & Tradition
A South Shore Tradition Since 1891
For more than 135 years, the South Shore Exhibition has brought generations together in Bridgewater to celebrate agriculture, community, competition, and tradition.
Since its beginnings in 1891, the Exhibition has grown and changed alongside the South Shore while remaining true to its agricultural roots. What began as a place to showcase local agriculture has become a longstanding summer tradition, bringing together exhibitors, competitors, volunteers, families, and visitors year after year.
The South Shore Exhibition in 1926. The original exhibition building, constructed in 1893, was destroyed by fire in 1928.
Rooted In Agriculture
Agriculture has been at the heart of the South Shore Exhibition since its earliest days. The Exhibition provided a place for farmers, teamsters, and families from across the region to gather, showcase their animals and skills, compete, and share in the agricultural traditions of the South Shore.
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Oxen and horses have played an especially important role in that history. Once essential to farming, forestry, and transportation throughout the region, these working animals became an important part of Exhibition competitions and demonstrations.
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Today, horse and ox events, livestock exhibits, 4-H, and other agricultural competitions continue to honour those roots and help introduce new generations to the traditions on which the Exhibition was built.
Traditions Through the Generations
As the South Shore Exhibition grew, generations of exhibitors, competitors, volunteers, and families helped shape the traditions that continue on the grounds today.
Horse and ox competitions became longstanding parts of the Exhibition, bringing competitors together and filling the grandstands with spectators. Over the years, livestock shows, 4-H, arts and crafts, entertainment, and family activities also became part of the Exhibition experience.
Although the grounds, buildings, and events have changed over time, many of the traditions at the heart of the Exhibition have remained — agricultural pride, friendly competition, community involvement, and generations coming together each summer
Then & Now
More Than 135 Years of Tradition
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More than 135 years after the first South Shore Exhibition, many of the traditions that shaped its early years can still be experienced today.
While the grounds, facilities, and events have changed through the generations, agriculture, competition, community, and tradition remain at its heart.
Different generations. The same South Shore tradition.