09/23/2026
The grounds will look a little different next time you visit . . .
The Adult Handicraft Building has been part of the North Peace Fall Fair grounds since the 1960s, but its history begins well before it arrived at the Fair.
The building was constructed using Douglas fir and is believed to have been built by the United States Army. There are several stories about its original purpose. Some accounts suggest that it was used as a barracks, while others believe it was originally used for storage.
There are also differing accounts of where the building came from before it was moved to the North Peace Fall Fair grounds. Some believe it came from the Fort St. John Airport, while others say it was moved from Taylor. The exact original location has not been confirmed.
In the 1960s, the building was moved to the North Peace Fall Fair grounds by Ivan Strome, who owned a building-moving business. The move itself became a memorable part of the building's history.
While moving the building along the original road through Montney Coulee, Ivan and his crew reached a steep hill on the north side that they were unable to climb with the building intact. To continue the move, they made the unusual decision to cut the building in half using a chainsaw. Once separated into two sections, the building could be moved up the hill and transported the rest of the way to the North Peace Fall Fair grounds.
The two sections were then brought together at their new location, where the building has continued to serve the Fair for decades.
By approximately 1995, the building required additional structural support. Fair members installed steel rods running from one wall to the opposite wall to help hold the structure together and keep the building stable.
The Adult Handicraft Building remained a familiar part of the North Peace Fall Fair grounds until its demolition on September 14, 2026. We will remember the many displays of handicrafts and artwork that was displayed throughout the years in the building.