This post considers a few of the exhibitions held in Canada during the Centennial year. The exhibitions discussed in this article were serviced with sub post offices which in most cases applied a special Exhibition cachet to the mail.
Calgary Exhibition and Stampede
The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede is a combined agricultural fair and rodeo in Calgary, Alberta, held in July. The Exhibition and Stampede were separate entities until 1923 when they merged.
The first exhibition was organized in 1886 and was held annually until 1894. In 1910 the name was changed to the Calgary Industrial Exhibition Company. The present name has been used since 1933. The first Stampede was organized by American cowboy Guy Weadick in 1912.
Stampede Post Office to local address, July 17, 1967
Stampede Post Office circular date stamp
1967 Stampede Post Office cachet
Post card mailed from the Stampede Post Office, July 15, 1967 to Napa Calif.
8 cents paying the air mail post card rate to the U.S.
Edmonton Exhibition
Klondike Days
The first Edmonton exhibition was organized by the Edmonton Agricultural Society on October 15, 1879. Edmonton's first fair showcased locally produced livestock, grain, vegetables, and handiwork. The exhibition relocated to its current site in Northlands in 1910. The exhibition was re-named Klondike Days in 1962, adopting the Klondike Gold Rush theme. The public dressed up in period costumes for the Klondike Days opening parade. Alberta’s first casino was held near the Silver Slipper Saloon at the Edmonton Exhibition Grounds in 1967. In 2006, the name of the exhibition was changed to "Capital EX".
Edmonton Exhibition Association Limited stationery
Exhibition Post Office to Manchester, July 25, 1967
Commercial mail, Edmonton Exhibition Post Office, July 26, 1967
Klondike Days cachet applied by the post office
Exhibition circular date stamp
1967 Klondike Days cachet
A slogan cancellation was used at the Edmonton Post Office to publicize "Klondike Days:
KLONDIKE DAYS JULY 20 - 29
Edmonton, July 11, 1967
Regina Exhibition
Buffalo Days
Regina's first fair was held in 1896. A year later, it was named the Territorial Exhibition, held at the same location where it stands today. In 1898, it became the Regina Exhibition. In 1967, in honour of Saskatchewan's pioneers, the celebration was named Buffalo Days.
The Regina Exhibition Association Limited, local correspondence
Regina Sub. P.O. Ex. circular date stamp, August 1, 1967
Buffalo days cachet
Exhibition Sub Post Office cancellation
1967 Buffalo Days Cachet
Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) : Vancouver
The PNE celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier opened the first fair, called The Industrial Exhibition, the second largest in North America after the New York City Fair.
Vancouver Sub. P.O. Ex. circular date stamp, August 24, 1967
1967 PNE cachet
Exhibition Sub Post Office cancellation
1967 PNE Exhibition Post Office Cachet
VISIT THE PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION AUG. 19 - SEPT. 4
Vancouver, July 25, 1967
Atlantic Winter Fair : Halifax
The first Atlantic Winter Fair was held in 1963 and is now called the Maritime Fall Fair. The fair provides an opportunity for visitors to gain a greater awareness of the agricultural industry.
Atlantic Winter Fair souvenir envelope
Exhibition Post Office cancellation, October 28, 1967
Exhibition Post Office, Halifax, N.S.