Yesteryears can attribute its success to our countless participants, exhibitors and demonstrators. Have a look at our 2017 participants.
Tent Showcase Be sure to spend some time in our portable museum. Members will share their private collections and items donated to the Society by local residents. Check out our new Canadian Inventions display to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday. We are sure you will learn something new. Imagine sailing the waters of Lake Simcoe in a 1909 Canoe, see a World War II minister's organ that travelled the battlefields in Europe, get a work out at our laundry display and relive memories of Canada's 100th birthday or our recent 2010 Winter Olympics. There is so much to see! 
Davidson Log & Timber Artisans Inc. will be on site to demonstrated hand hewing, hand cut timber joinery and turning round logs into timbers with an axe.
Visit with Catherine Ashton and her interactive display of early 1900’s items commonly found around the house and on the farm. Take a step back in time before today’s modern conveniences.
NEW! Midland Model Railway Club
Celebrating its 28th year we are pleased to welcome the creative and dedicated members of this club to Yesteryears. Check out their display in the garage where trains and village settings will capture your imagination of days gone by when train engineers and conductors criss-crossed our country. 
Take a stroll down memory lane with John Gardner as he shares stories, maps and photographs on Brechin of Yore.
NEW!
Watch Terry Dyball as he demonstrates blacksmithing techniques over his portable coal forge. See the tools that turn metal rods into functional items necessary for daily life in days gone by and unique creations today. 
Its time to celebrate the more than 100 years of heritage of the Ontario Provincial Police with the Friends of The O.P.P. Museum. Children can try on uniforms, make buttons and learn about the exhibits within the museum located just minutes away.
Rural churches were an important community base for religious activities, social events, family celebrations and aspects of the daily lives of their congregations. Join parishioners from the variety of churches across Ramara as they share historical documents, artefacts and church information. 
NEW!
Verna Black If you are a fan of Canada's 'liquid gold' on your pancakes then you will enjoy Verna's maple syrup display from days gone by. 
Visit with members of the Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum as they share information about the artefacts they have brought with them from their designated historic site including a Leatherdale Carriage built in Coldwater. Learn about the activities available at the Woodrow homestead built in the 1840s and rural life in Simcoe County. 
With each patch of material and hand stitch, quilts connect the past with the present and the future . Friendships were sewn around the quilting frame one stitch at a time, as the women of Ramara turned bits and pieces of fabric into works of art. These traditions continue today as the Ramara Library Quilting Club demonstrates quilting techniques, the tools and a display of assorted quilted items.
NEW!
Marina Drybrough Take a step back into your grandmothers or great grandmother's daily life. Imagine her kitchen, the tools she used each day to prepare meals for her family and quilted creations that kept her family warm during those cold Canadian winters. |
You won't be able to keep your feet still as you listen to the local musical talent that will perform from the main stage behind the church.
Adam Zimmerman and his son will kick our day off with their drums and unique instruments. It's All Relative hits the stage at 11:30 a.m. featuring Ramara's own Cathy & John Fountain with their family and friends. Jim Butler, Ben Smith, Jacob Smith, Josh Fountain and Jim Cranney will all fill the stage. With a lot of old tyme fiddlin' and some banjo you don't want to miss their country music. Sam's Club will return again this year at 1:15 p.m. with their favourite songs that will rekindle great memories of days gone by. Turn back the decades, mix in a host of instruments and endless talent will leave you smiling. Michael Davies, John Ashe and Grant Lauer will each take the stage to finish our afternoon of entertainment off. Our musicians love their music and encourage you to bring your lawn chair and enjoy their melodies at our open air venue. 
Canadian author Dorothy Duncan will provide demonstrations and samples of historic desserts and share her expertise on the history of Canadian food.
You’ll be drawn to the music of yesteryear as Cecil Byers shares some items from his personal gramophone collection and their history. Learn about local railway history and the tracks that criss-crossed the township years ago.
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Travel back in time to the Civil War with re-enactors Kyle & Mitchell as they share their knowledge of daily camp life for soldiers, meals, leisure activities, officer's quarters, military tactics and advancement. 
One hundred years ago Canadian soldiers had proven their tactical and military skill at the Victory of Vimy Ridge. Visit with Carl Black, Mark Cadeau, Roser Holliday in their original soldier uniforms and military artefacts. Reflect on the sacrifices of Ramara’s young soldiers who left their work in the fields to fight for freedom in the trenches in Flanders fields.
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Margaret Pomeroy Don't miss this display of vintage quilts, blankets and coverlets that showcase the talented handiwork of the ladies who spent countless hours with a needle in hand. 
Members of the St. Columbkille Parish will lead tours of the church. Hear their ghost stories and the history of this local church. Enjoy sandwiches, a slice of homemade pie or barbecued food throughout the day.
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4 H Club Meet members of our local North Simcoe 4-H Club as they share their knowledge in preparing their livestock and experience in competitions. 
As a fundamental practice for survival in Canada, fur trapping became an integral way of life for local Aboriginals and early settlers providing food, clothing, shelter and income as furs were sold to the European market. Visit with local trapper Dale Black as he displays a variety of furs and traps.
Put some muscle into it as you work with a partner to make your own multi-purpose rope the old fashioned way.
Meet representatives from the Ramara Public Library and explore the array of historical reference material and resources available in the library's collection at its various branches.
Brechin and Beyond If you are enjoying the bikes on display throughout Brechin then be sure to stop by and tell these volunteers. Find out about their next project that is around the corner. 
Join members of SALT - Seniors and Law Enforcement Together as they provide information on crime prevention and the issues seniors in our community face on a daily basis.
Ramara Fire and Rescue Services will be on site with their vintage pumper and modern equipment to demonstrate and provide information on fire prevention and emergency planning.
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Returning
Ever since a magician turned a newspaper into a live rabbit in his own hands at the young age of 3, Gary Austin has been bitten by the magic bug and has been hooked on magic ever since. Combining his love of magic with his wild sense of humour, quick wit, balloon, twisting and a little juggling, Gary has become a well-known entertainer throughout Simcoe County. Leaving his audiences with a sense of wonder and smiles on their faces, entertainment by Gary is sure to be "A Magically Funny Good Time". Catch Gary's show each hour or as he wanders the grounds and challenges you to believe in magic. 
Returning
Spot our comic-juggler and unicyclist, Johnny Toronto throughout the day as he makes our visitors laugh with his antics. Perhaps we can convince him to trade his unicycle in for something a little more appropriate for Yesteryears, come and see. 
Returning Fancy That Face Painting!
Helena's professional experience allows her to create the perfect design that brings delight to children's faces as they look into a mirror and see their transformation ~ timeless magic! There is no charge for face painting. 
Serenity Road shares their uplifting and inspiring harmonies as they perform with their accordion, percussion and guitars. Specializing in gospel and vintage music from Canada's early years, Jennifer Cooling and Kathryn Brushett will entertain you with folk songs, country ballads, rhythm and blues. 
As the western gateway to Ramara Township, Atherley is well known for its location at the Narrows, historical establishments and community connections. Browse through old aerial photographs of the area, postcards and more with Ted Duncan.
Connect with the Ontario Genealogical Society's local branch and its representatives who can assist you in documenting your family heritage. Browse through OGS promotional material and learn how to research, record and preserve your ancestral history.
Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society will join us with a display of barn images throughout Thorah and Eldon Townships, information on their museum and events.
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Visit with our local Chamber and find out how they support and promote businesses in Ramara to enhance our economic and community prosperity. Don't forget to pick up your township map and brochures. |
Vintage Vehicles
1914 Model T Ford
1914 Model T Ford
1919 Model T Roadster
1921 Model T Ford Truck
1923 La France Fire Truck (Orillia's first gas operated fire truck) Orillia Heritage Centre
1927 McLaughlin Buick
1927 Model T Ford
1927 Ford Pick-Up Truck
1928 Durant Depot Hack
1929 Ford Model A Autotrac
1930 Model A Coupe
1938 Plymouth Coupe
1949 Chevrolet
1952 Chevy 2 DR Post
1955 Chevy 210 Sedan
1956 Ford Crown Victoria
1963 Studebaker Pick-Up Truck
1964 Chev
1965 Dodge Pick-Up Truck
1968 Pontiac Bonneville
1969 Mercury Cyclone
1970 GMC Pick-Up Truck
1978 Monte Carlo
1992 Buick Roadmaster
1993 Cadillac Allante
Vintage Construction Equipment & Engines
1940’s Homemade Road Grader
Homemade ATV
Stationary Engine - 3/4 HP with water pump
Hit & Miss Motors
Steam Engine
To Scale Working Models of Gas Engines
Antique Gas Engines & Water Pumps & Pump Jacks & Old Cordless Drills
Miller Paving Vintage Tandem Axel Truck
Vintage Tractors & Farm Equipment
1937 Silver King
1938 Co-op
Miniature 1/3 scale Cockshutt 30
1939 General
1948 Gibson
102 Junior Massey Harris
1941 Ford 9N 'Backwards Tractor'
1941 Farmall BN
1943 - 102 Senior Massey Harris
1946 Farmall A
1948 McCormick Deering WD9
1948 Waterloo Bronco
1948 John Deere Model D
1949 Farmall Club
1949 Waterloo Bronco
1949 John Deere AW
1949 John Deere M **first tractor sold from Byers dealership
1949 McCormick IH W4
1949 Oliver 77 Standard
1950 22 Massey Harris
1950 McCormick W4 ** formerly owned by Joe Heitzner of Brechin
1951 John Deere AR
1951 Farmall IHC
1952 Farmall Super MD
1952 Model A John Deere
1952 Allis Chalmer 1B
1954 John Deere 50
1954 McCormick Super W
1955 Allis Chalmer CA
Model M John Deere - first tractor sold at Allan Byers to local farmer
W4 International
Oliver Tractor
1965 Allis Chalmer Big 10 Riding Lawn Tractor
1968 Allis Chalmer B112 Riding Lawn Tractor
Massey Harris 201
Massey Harris 333 Row Crop
#44 Massey Harris
Vintage Wheel Horses Garden Tractors
1946 Little Beaver Grain Grinder
Rope Making Machine
Threshing Machine
Wooden Seed Drill
Bailer
Grain Fanning Mill
Scythe mower
Horse drawn wagons, buggies and sleighs
Walk behind plow
Shingle Mill