ANTIGONISH – The Jerome McCarron Pavilion will be in the spotlight in the coming days, when the grand opening for the new addition to the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition (ENSE) grounds on James St. is celebrated on Monday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m.
“It is certainly an honour,” McCarron told The Journal in a recent phone interview.
ENSE officials indicate naming the new barn for North Grant’s McCarron, a long-time livestock specialist with the provincial department of agricultural, is a way of recognizing his tremendous contributions to the cattle industry and breeders across northeastern Nova Scotia and in Cape Breton.
McCarron offered he is pleased that the new building – one that replaces the so-called The Cattle Barn – has been constructed and will be ready for the 2026 ENSE, commonly known as the fall fair.
“It is pretty important,” McCarron offered of having the space to – as ENSE cattle committee chair Jack Thomson explained in an earlier interview – “house a significant number of animals.” It will be the home for a list that includes horses, beef cattle, sheep and goats during the ENSE.
Without the space, Thomson indicated the fall fair would “start to lose critical mass,” adding “it takes from our ability showcase what we are doing.”
Crediting the fundraising effort involved, McCarron said, “It is very personal – it means a lot to me,” of having the new addition bearing his name.
Its century-old predecessor – The Cattle Barn – sustained wide-ranging damage that made repairs untenable. Heavy snow caused a roof collapse, which the insurance company deemed an Act of God.
Deciding having a new building ready for the 2026 ENSE was essential, its board decided to move forward with construction, awarding the contract to Archibald Contracting Limited. Because the insurance payout will not cover the approximately $400,000 project, the organization has launched a fundraising campaign.
As a way of showing his appreciation – and celebrating the ENSE milestone – McCarron said he, with some help from his grandchildren, plan to enter some Holstein heifers in the fall fair this year. They will take up residence in the new barn.
“We are really looking forward to it,” he added.
Reflecting on the rich tradition of exhibitions across the province – how they continue to contribute greatly to an important industry, such as agriculture, he noted they date to before Confederation.
“It is one of the highlights of the year,” McCarron said of the fall fair, as he continued to share his encyclopedic knowledge, including regarding it importance to young people growing up in the region.
He offered that they have a tremendous chance “to learn from each other” throughout the 4-H movement.
“It provides great opportunities,” McCarron added.
As for the upcoming dedication ceremony, he said it is “going to mean a lot.”
“We are pretty excited.”
Following the opening, there will be a ribbon cutting at 8 p.m. and a fundraising auction to follow.
The 161st ENSE is set for Sept. 2-6.
