The Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Association Limited was organized by a group of interested farmers and businessmen and was incorporated in 1903. The charter was signed by Mr. L. J. Tweedie, Provincial Secretary, by command of the Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Jabez Bunting Snowball.

The organizers and provisional directors were:

William. B Snowball             Merchant

Sydney D. Heckbert              Merchant

John MacDonald                   Manufacturer

Andrew H. Marquis               Merchant

Angus S. Ullock                   Liveryman

George Hildebrand               Agent

Charles Reinsborrow             Merchant

Joseph Tweedie                   Clerk

Fred M. Eddy                       Accountant

George Watt                        Merchant

George P. Searle                  Farmer

Richard A. Lawlor                 Barrister

Robert Murray                      Barrister

Thomas Flanagan                 Hotel Keeper

Michael Morris                     Millwright

Peter Archer                        Hotel Keeper

James Johnston                   Hotel Keeper

John D. Creaghan                Merchant

John P. Burchill                   Lumber Merchant

Alexander G. Dickson           Farmer

This group of men, who arranged for the erection of a building, which was to collapse later under heavy gales, started the plans for the Exhibition Building in 1902. The next building was erected following the signing of the Charter, which took place on March 12, 1903.

This second building was to survive until 1937, when shortly before the annual exhibition; flames engulfed and destroyed the stately structure.

The Board of Directors then made a very important decision. They realized the tremendous amount of work, which had already gone into the preparation of the 1937 Miramichi Exhibition, not only by themselves but also by the many exhibitors who would have had their exhibits prepared. They decided to erect temporary buildings and improvise with those not destroyed by fire so they could carry on with the annual event.

The exhibits arrived; the official ceremony took place; the judging was completed; and the crowds mingled in the midway with the smell of smoke in the air and the ruins of many years of dedicated work in full view.

The Board of Directors, however, was not to be discouraged. For the third time, plans were made for an Exhibition Building and the program of reconstruction began. After completion, the building was used for many years before it was further extended, both east and west, to occupy the entire width of the Exhibition Property. The building stretched a distance of 343.41 feet from Lobban Avenue on the east side, to John Street on the west side.

Main Exhibition Building

This structure, situated atop the hill overlooking the beautiful Miramichi River, became known as the Main Exhibition Building. The immense structure was crowned with a distinctive red steel roof it was impeccably maintained and extensively renovated throughout the years. It stood as one of the community's landmarks until April 16, 1993, when fire engulfed the stately structure and destroyed the entire complex.

This Main Exhibition Building consisted of three main sections. Located on the east end of the structure was the L shaped section, which housed the Curling Club ice surface and clubrooms. It was constructed in 1965, primarily to provide extra booth space for, the annual Exhibition.

In 1967, just shortly after erecting the Curling Club, the building collapsed during the curling season. Fortunately, no one was injured. The Ladies Curling Club later honoured Wib Jardine for saving their lives. Wib had refused to let the ladies go on the ice to curl as he had heard some unfamiliar noises when preparing the ice earlier in the morning. 

His concern was instrumental in averting what may have been a terrible disaster. All concerned will always be grateful to Wib! The building was reconstructed shortly thereafter and continued to provide curling facilities for the Chatham Curling Club until 1992.

Located at the west end of the Main Exhibition Building was the Pavilion or the Dance Hall. The Pavilion was used extensively throughout the years as a venue for entertainment, weddings, dances, binges, fashion shows, and other special community events.

The ground level of the centre section of the structure was to house booth space as well as several of the Exhibition's own canteen facilities. These facilities, constructed in 1988 and 1989, were used during the annual fair. On the upper level of the centre section of the Main Exhibition Building was "Club Carnival." This area was completely renovated for the 1989 fair. Also located on the upper level of the centre section were three lounges: The Mac O'Brien Lounge, The Acadia Lounge, and the Black Angus Lounge.

The fire of April 16, 1993 left nothing but memories of the Main Exhibition Building. An Irish Flag and the contents of two small safes were all that remained of the 42,000 square foot structure and its many contents. During 1993 and 1994, large tents were used during the annual Exhibition to accommodate many of the functions, which would have been held in the Main Exhibition Building.

Extreme adversity had faced the founders and directors of the Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Association Limited in the past. As a tribute to their dedication, the President and Board of Directors made the decision in the spring of 1995 to begin construction of a new Exhibition facility.

Phase I of the reconstruction was completed for the 1995 Miramichi Exhibition. JW Lindsay Enterprise Limited of Moncton constructed a 9,000 square foot facility. This fully air conditioned structure seats up to 600 people and is used for entertainment, weddings, dances, and other special community events. The first official event that took place in the Exhibition Pavilion was the 1995 Miss Miramichi Pageant. During Exhibition Week, the Pavilion is used as an entertainment venue and also houses a lively casino featuring blackjack and roulette.

Construction began on Phase II of the project immediately following Exhibition '96. Prospect Contractors Ltd. of Fredericton built another 9,000 square foot facility.

This facility, known as the Trade Show Building, has previously held the commercial booth displays during Exhibition Week. The Trade Show Building is used during the rest of the year for the weekly bingos and other special community events. It also houses the Exhibition Office year round. Preliminary construction plans call for three separate phases of construction.

Other Buildings and Improvements

Property owned by the Miramichi Exhibition extends a distance of 2462.2 feet from north to south from Church Street to St. Thomas Street.

South of the Exhibition Pavilion stand three cattle barns, two horse barns, a farmyard baby animal display building, and a livestock display building. During Exhibition Week, the livestock building houses swine, sheep, goats, fancy breeds of hens, purebred rabbits, foxes, oxen, etc. Also on the southern part of the property are the L shaped Napke Building, the Red Rooster Lounge & Casino, the Log Cabin, public washrooms and the Show Ring.

The Napke Building houses Nanna's Kitchen as well as all of the exhibits entered for competition. This includes exhibits of agricultural products, horticultural products, fine art, home economics, handicrafts, and 4-H crafts.

Repairs to the Napke Building, including a new red steel roof and completely renovated public washrooms were completed in 1988. In 1991, new showcases were constructed for the display of baked goods. In keeping with making buildings more accessible to the disabled, a new concrete wheelchair ramp and steps were installed.

In 1993, after fire had destroyed the Main Exhibition Building, the Association no longer had a venue to hold its weekly bingos. It was decided to convert the Napke Building to meet this need. As a result, the building was again completely renovated. A new tile floor was laid; a canteen was built, and new walls, windows and doors were installed. The hall was wired with a new PA sound system and an air exchanger was installed for the comfort of patrons. New tables and chairs were purchased to complete the renovation package. In 1999, new tables were once again purchased for the Napke Building.

On the second floor of one of the horse barns known, by old time fair goers as the "Jersey Barn", is the Red Rooster Lounge & Casino. In 1989, a new red steel roof was installed on this building. Then in 1991, the facility underwent extensive renovations. A distinctive red and white tile floor was installed; a cashier's office was constructed; and lighting was improved. In 1999, six new blackjack tables were built for the Rooster. During the annual Exhibition, nightly entertainment featuring local artists that add to the lively atmosphere of the Red Rooster Lounge & Casino.  

The little Log Cabin with the red roof was completely renovated for the 1996 Exhibition. The Log Cabin has a concrete patio with a new roof built over it and has been landscaped to add to its appearance. Also new that year was the construction of wheelchair accessible public washroom facilities, which are located just south of the Log Cabin.

On July 24, 1986, the Exhibition's Grandstand was destroyed by fire. The Grandstand was some thirty years old; had seated 500 patrons; and was once used as a canteen area. It had housed the pari-mutuel betting windows for horse-racing events. The last horse- racing event was staged in 1982, and from then on the Grandstand had been used as a seating area for horse hauling events and other outdoor shows.

Following the destruction of the Grandstand, open-air bleachers were built in 1987. The bleachers were erected in the area immediately south of the three cattle barns. Also in this area is the judges' stand. This area of the property, known as the Show Ring, is used for such events as the 4-H judging. A stairway leading from the midway area between Cattle Barn #2 and Cattle Barn #3 enables patrons easy access to the Show Ring. Also in 1987, new fencing was installed around the entire midway area. In 1988, new and improved lighting was installed for the Barn / Show Ring area.