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From 1908 to 1913, "Grimsby At Home", the annual Labour ...

Grimsby's driving parks served as a gathering place for town
By Museum Musings
Columns
May 09, 2008
From the early 1880s to 1921, Grimsby had three Driving Parks or racetracks. The first racetrack was located in the vicinity of Fairview and Olive Streets.

In June 1895, the second racetrack, known as the Grimsby Driving Park, was opened just east of Maple Avenue and north of the railway track. The Park featured a grandstand and regulation half-mile track for harness racing. The Independent in June 1895 stated "Everyone that wants to enjoy two days' sport should visit Grimsby on June 20 and 21, 1895, the occasion being the opening of the new Grimsby driving park with a big firemen's demonstration, horse races, band competition and other sports." For the next 16 years athletic competitions, fairs and other major attractions were held at the Driving Park.

On May 10, 1911, the third Driving Park was opened. Built in the same area as the first racetrack, the backstretch of the original racetrack was located during construction and found to be in fairly good condition. A 120-foot by 12-foot stable with 15 stalls was erected along with a 60-foot by 30-foot grandstand with refreshment booths underneath. The grandstand had a 500-person capacity. Admission rates were 25 cents for gentlemen, 15 cents for ladies and 10 cents for children.

The third Grimsby Driving Park was used for major gatherings in Grimsby. From 1908 to 1913, "Grimsby At Home", the annual Labour Day celebration was held at the Park. More than 1,200 people attended the 1913 Labour Day event which featured music, horse racing, athletics, a motorcycle race, and a three-mile long parade with automobiles, floats from local businesses and clowns borrowed from the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

On Monday, October 20, 1913, the third annual Grimsby Thanksgiving Fair was held at the Driving Park and featured horse racing as part of the programme. Fair promoters advised residents that "ice cream cones, Coney Island Red Hots, peanuts, cigars and other internal organ disturbers will be on sale".

The last major event held at the Grimsby Driving Park was the Old Boys' and Girls' Reunion in August 1921. Developer G.E. Armstrong, who had purchased the property in 1920 for a housing development, gave permission for the property to be used. The presentation of the Charter for the Town of Grimsby and a choral concert were two of the events held on August 25th. On August 26th, the industrial parade left from the old racetrack and wound its way through Grimsby. An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people were at the Grimsby Driving Park for the parades, entertainment, horse racing and fireworks.

On September 1, 1921 the sod was torn up and the construction of the bungalow homes began.

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Museum Musings was contributed by Janet Cannon, curator of the Grimsby Museum. For more information about the museum, call 905-945-5292 or visit 6 Murray St. in Grimsby.