Founded in 1883 the Yorkton Exhibition Association continues to fulfill its commitment to promote agriculture and business interests, to educate and inform, to build a sense of community, and to offer a wide range of unique entertainment packages to Yorkton and the Parkland area.
The Yorkton Exhibition Association is an organization of volunteers. These volunteers work year round to attract, organize and provide the public with several community events.
The Yorkton Exhibition Association has five main shows annually; the East Central Bull Power Sale and 4-H Spring Steer & Heifer Show held in March; Yorkton Spring Expo held in April; Summer Fair held in July; and Grain Millers Harvest Showdown held in November. The Association is also host to two indoor flea markets each year, as well as 16 days of standardbred harness racing. The Exhibition Association acts as the organizer and co-participant with local organizations for the two parades held annually in Yorkton - during Summer Fair and welcoming the Christmas season.
The Exhibition Association members work closely with non-profit organizations such as the Yorkton Lion's Club, Downtown Business Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton, and the Boys and Girls Club of Yorkton to bring value and community spirit to the events.
The Yorkton Exhibition Association was started with the desire to bring local settlers together and provide a venue to present new agricultural practices. Today's Association incorporates the initial reason for coming together in all the events we host today. The events we host maintain an educational component, provide entertainment and information to the public attending.
The Gallagher Centre, home to the Yorkton Exhibition Association, provides our exhibitors access to over 70,000 square feet of covered show space, horse barns, cattle barns, race track, and grandstand all situated on 65 acres of land located on the west side of Yorkton.
Our events have become the showcase to many local groups. The 4-H Regional Show and Sale brings local clubs together for their final show and sale for the year. The National Goat Show, Miniature Horse Show, Light Horse Show, Commercial Cattle Shows and Sales, All Breed Bull Sale, Commercial Grain, Forage and Pedigree Seed Show, Exotic Animal Auction, Commercial Trade Show, and various craft, leisure, and entertainment packages all make up the events held during the year.
In 1996 the Annual Summer Fair was voted Regional Fair of the Year from over 800 fairs throughout the country, and in 1997 the Harvest Showdown was voted one of Canada's Top 5 Fairs. In 2006 the Association was the recipient of the Community Merit Award at Yorkton's Celebrate Success Awards Night and in 2007 received Saskatchewan Tourism's Award of Excellence as Corporate Partner Of The Year.
With the Exhibitions deep roots in the agriculture industry, a progressive group of directors, a history of past successes and vision for the future, the Yorkton Exhibition Association will continue to provide a wide range of events and programs to the community and parkland area residents.