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The significance of farming around Nakusp reached a high point in 1911. Spearheaded by Tom Abriel, the third annual agriculture fair attracted enthusiasts from the whole region anxious to receive medals, cups and ribbons, along with bragging rights that goes with producing the best fruit or vegetable. The seriousness of the exercise can't be overstated. Hours and even days of preparation went into sorting, cleaning, polishing, arranging and displaying entrees of apples, potatoes, squash, cabbage, turnip, grains and carrots. Some men even entered sides of beef or pork while women contested with sewing, canning, baking and flower arrangements. A great deal of satisfaction was gleaned through the staging of the exhibit, not only by participants but others in a more indirect way. It was a great couple of days of celebration that presented onlookers a view of what the farming community had to offer. For the land companies, it only bolstered their predictions of the great values offered for sale. Commercially, any successful venture increased the wealth of the area resulting in more business and in the future a larger population.

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1911 Fair
1911
Nakusp townsite