ANTIGONISH – A new addition to the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE) grounds on James Street will be ready for the 2026 fall fair, a popular annual celebration of agriculture in the northeastern part of the province, which is scheduled for early September.
The building will replace a half-century-old structure – one affectionately known as The Cattle Barn, which sustained extensive damage due to a roof collapse in February.
“It was a significant load of heavy snow,” West River farmer Jack Thomson – chair of the ENSE’s cattle committee – told The Journal.
He explained that the insurance company deemed the mishap as an ‘Act of God.’
Crediting the builders of that historic piece of local history, he noted – despite the collapse – The Cattle Barn was “extremely strong and in great shape,” describing it as a victim of “bad luck.”
Thomson said the ENSE board of directors decided that they “couldn’t do without” such a building for the fall and decided to start construction “as soon as possible” of a 60x172 foot structure the one that measured 60x200.
“They gave a very competitive bid,” he added of Robert Archibald General Contracting Limited, who are the builders.
Thomson noted, most importantly, the local business has guaranteed the building will be finished in time for the fall fair, which he said was “a key for us.”
He explained the multi-purpose building will have an asphalt floor and apron, which will add to its versatility.
“It houses a significant number of animals,” Thomson offered, when asked about the importance of having the replacement building up and running, a list that includes horses, beef cattle, sheep and goats.
Without the space, he explained, the ENSE would “start to lose critical mass.”
Thomson added, “It takes from our ability to showcase what we are doing.”
Which, of course, lessens the attraction for visitors to the fall fair.
“It is vitally important,” he said of having a new barn in place.
As far as financing the approximately $400,000 project, Thomson explained the ENSE received an insurance payout that does not cover “what has to be built,” so they have launched a fundraising campaign.
“We decided to step up and make it happen,” he said of moving forward with such a financial commitment.
Thomson appealed not only to the farming community, but also the business and broader communities to help, in whatever way they can, to reach the fundraising goal.
“We all have a stake,” he offered of rallying behind “successful events” in the community, such as the ENSE, Antigonish Highland Games and so forth.
He added, “You can’t measure the value of having these showcases.”
Thomson offered, of the effort to construct the replacement building, “It’s the least that we can do” – not only as a way of honouring the farmers – like his father – who teamed up to build The Cattle Barn in the 1970s, but also helping to ensure the stability and future of a tradition – the ENSE – which has been happening for more than 160 years.
The new building will be named for North Grant’s Jerome McCarron, a long-time livestock specialist with the provincial department of agricultural. Thomson said McCarron had a “significant influence” on cattle breeders across northeastern Nova Scotia and in Cape Breton.
“It is very fitting,” he added of the decision to name the building the Jerome McCarron Pavilion.
A grand opening celebration for the Jerome McCarron Pavilion is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 24.
The 161st Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition is set for Sept. 2-6.
