Belleville Agricultural Society (BAS) is a not for profit organization incorporated under the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Act of Ontario and governed by a volunteer board of directors.
It is the second oldest in Ontario and third oldest Society in Canada and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023.
In 1821 The Midland District Agricultural Society opened Belleville’s first recorded Fair.
Over the years, there were many name changes, including the original 1821 Midland District Agricultural Society, 1849 Victoria District Fair and Cattle Show, 1860 Bay Of Quinte Fair, and 1861 South Hastings Agricultural Fair. Finally, in 1954 it was named the Belleville Fair/Quinte Exhibition.
They are most known for the annual Quinte Exhibition and Fall Fair, which features midway, displays, exhibits, demolition derby, car show, truck and tractor pulls and other attractions. From 2015 to 2019, BAS generated an average of $113,000 per year from its annual 4-day fair and generated a net income of $17,000 to $52,000, with the exception of 2017 when it incurred an operating deficit of $10,000.
The Belleville Fairgrounds added a race track and horse racing in the early 1900s, with the winners taking home up to $50 for the first place purse.
The relocation of the BAS and the construction of its new exhibition building will cost City of Belleville taxpayers $39 million.
Activities
Activities defined by the Ag Society to occur New Fairgrounds and the BAS would like to host are:
Equine events such as:
- Barrel racing
- Hunters and Jumpers
- Dressage
- Western riding shows and competitions
- 4H demonstrations and educational sessions
- Horse and cow breeding lines
- Training and information evenings
Farm animal shows:
- Bovine shows and educational sessions
- Alpaca shows
- Poultry shows, competitions, and educational sessions
- Dog and cat shows
- 4H shows including goats, sheep and dairy etc.
- Rodeos and Stampedes
- Farmer and farming support
Conventions and/or conferences:
- Innovative Farmers Association (IFA)
- Junior Farmers
- Medium size conferences and shows, not to take away larger shows from QS&WC
- Trade, Consumer, Education and Product shows
- Social Events ie. weddings, galas, special events and announcements etc.
- Banquets
- Farm and related equipment shows
- Truck and Tractor pulls
- Sporting tournaments and education
- Sporting shows
- RV shows
- Vintage vehicle shows
- Concerts
- Community Ride nights
- Storage
- Local gardens for food and crops – fun for schools
- Networking breakfasts, lunches etc.
- Smaller size classrooms for educational sessions
- School and farm life education and introduction to farm animals. Available to all local schools.
Quinte Exhibition and Fall Fair
- Midway and Carnivals
- Poultry, horse and cow shows and competitions
- Provincial and National Cheese judging and competitions
- Flower arrangement and baking shows and competitions
- All you can eat candy floss
- Smash-up Derby
- Etc.
Meeting location:
- Meeting rooms for single or ongoing rentals.
2025-2025 Elected Directors
- President – Christine English
- 1st Vice President – Ross Parks
- 2nd Vice President – Jack Alexander
- Directors: Ted Aman, Marilyn Caddick, Kathy Latchford, Rick MacIvor, Mary Ann Miller and Mona Tummon-Lyon
2023-2024 Elected Directors
- Executive
- President – Jamie Chatten
- 1st Vice President – Ross Parks
- 2nd Vice President – Christine English
- Directors
- Jodi Burgess
- Kathy Latchford
- Wayne Waite
- Ted Aman
- Community liasons
- Jack Alexander
- Councillor Paul Carr
Honorary life directors
- Gloria Attwaters
- Dr. R. Burns
- June Attwaters
- Doug Rollins
- Kay Summers
- Lyle Vanclief, Kay Snedden, Bob Burkitt, Wayne Waite, Lois Rollins, Ian Scott, Cathy Lough, Barb Scrimshaw, Robert Jarrell, Jim Lewis, Suzanne Smith, Debbie Ruston, Burle Summers, George McNeely, Garnet Denyes, Marilyn Caddick, Brian Denyes, Mona Tummon Lyon, Sherry Bradshaw, Wilma Huffman, Vince Brennan, Jack McDonnell, Barb Palmateer, Jan Lewis, Rick Caddick, Carolyn Jarrell, Ross Parks, Liz Muldoon,
- Kay Manderville
- Bonnie Beer-Watson
- Mitch Panciuk
- Donnie Jarrell
- April Jarrell
- Carl Huffman
Honorary life members
Burns McLean, Evelyn Burkitt, Marie Emerson, Janet Hamilton, Barb Scrimshaw,Anita Latchford, Gerry Masterson, Gloria Scott, Jack Caddick, Marion Wallbridge, Dicia Ellis, Jackie Denyes, Rick MacIvor, Terry Tanner,Wayne Lain, Colin Denyes, Mackenzie Denyes, Jessica Empey, Ian Smith, Betty Beer, Robert Burn, Marilynne Cotten, Lisa Gilmour, Darlene Spencer, Don Bell, Elsie Dowdle, John Lyon, George MacDonald, William McGee, Jack Alexander
