Listowel Fair

“July 18 – 20, 2025 – Celebrating 165 Years of Agricultural Tradition and Family Fun!“

Join us for a weekend of excitement, community spirit, and agricultural heritage at the 2025 Avonmore Fair, happening from July 18th to 20th, 2025! Established in 1860, this cherished fair has been a pillar of rural tradition for 165 years, offering a perfect blend of agricultural showcases, family-friendly entertainment, and hands-on experiences.

Live Entertainment & Family Fun

The Avonmore Fair is packed with entertainment for all ages, ensuring a weekend full of music, performances, and interactive fun. Visitors can enjoy live music and performances throughout the fairgrounds, creating the perfect atmosphere for dancing, singing, and celebrating with friends and family.

For the little ones, the fair features a variety of Children’s Activities, including games, hands-on farm experiences, crafts, and interactive exhibits. Families can explore the kid-friendly zones, where children can learn about agriculture in a fun and engaging way.

Agricultural Traditions & Livestock Competitions

As a fair deeply rooted in Ontario’s farming history, the Avonmore Fair showcases the region’s top livestock and agricultural excellence. Visitors will have the chance to see some of the best cattle, horses, and farm animals compete in prestigious events:

• 4H Calf Rally – Young 4H members will proudly present their calves, demonstrating their dedication, skills, and knowledge in livestock care.
• Open Beef Show – Farmers from across the region will showcase top-quality cattle, competing for championship titles in an exciting display of agriculture and livestock excellence.
• Horse Show – Equestrian fans will enjoy watching skilled riders and their horses compete in various classes, showcasing grace, agility, and teamwork.

Exhibition Hall Displays & Community Showcases

The Exhibition Hall is a must-visit attraction, where fairgoers can admire incredible displays of homecrafts, arts, produce, and handmade goods. From beautiful quilts and preserves to stunning photography and homegrown vegetables, the talent and craftsmanship of the community will be on full display.

Local vendors and artisans will also showcase their products, offering visitors a chance to purchase unique handcrafted items, delicious baked goods, and farm-fresh products.

A Tradition of Community & Celebration

For 165 years, the Avonmore Fair has brought together farmers, families, and fair lovers to celebrate agriculture, rural traditions, and community pride. With a lineup that includes exciting entertainment, livestock competitions, hands-on activities, and homegrown talent, the 2025 Avonmore Fair promises to be a weekend of unforgettable memories.

Mark your calendars for July 18th to 20th, 2025, and come experience the best of rural Ontario at the Avonmore Fair!

History of the Avonmore Fair

The Roxborough Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1858. In October of 1860 the society held its first exhibition, on the streets of Avonmore, or Hough’s Mill’s, as it was known at the time. The Exhibition moved around, spending some time in Moose Creek, Avonmore, Gravel Hill, and Warina.  During the early years it was frequently held in conjunction with the annual ploughing match also sponsored by the society.

In 1886 it was held in Gravel Hill on Thursday September 30th. It is reported that upwards of 3000 people attended the show (held on the Begg and Crawford’s farms) in bright sunny weather. The Cornwall Standard Newspaper reports: “Mr. Runion’s photographic gallery…did a tremendous business…having their features transferred to glass, as a lasting memento… Stalls laden with cider, ginger ale and candles surrounded the fair grounds, and were also greatly patronized…and it was generally remarked by those who attended from Cornwall, that the Gravel Hill show was a long way ahead of the county towns. We are of the same opinion. At the Roxborough Show there was life, enterprise and considering the surroundings, a deal better management…”.

In 1888 Oscar Fulton, Avonmore Businessman and former M.P. offered a special prize of $20.00 providing the show was held in Avonmore. It has been the Avonmore Fair ever since, but at four different locations. The first two locations were leased, while the last two have been owned by the Society. The Avonmore Driving Park was home to the Fair from 1888 to 1911, the park was located just east of the Payne River on the south side of what is now Centennial Drive.

In 1891 the Fair was expanded to a two day event. In 1907 the society was officially designated the “Roxborough Agricultural Society with Headquarters in Avonmore”. By 1902 the C.P.R. was running special Fair Trains at reduced rates on its line between Dalhousie and Winchester.

In 1912 the Fair moved to the other end of Avonmore, to the Shaver Farm, on the west side of Main Street, just north of the tracks (and the Grist Mill), the yearly rent was $55.00 and a new exhibition building was built. The Hall cost $250.00 to build, but by 1914 the society was out of debt and in 1918 it had 225 members.

In 1919 the society purchased land east of the village (where Morningside Place is) and moved the Hall to its new home. By 1921 an addition had been built and a well dug. By the 1930 the Fair was attracting good crowds by train, from Cornwall via the New York Central to Finch and via the C.P.R. to Avonmore.

In February of 1948 the Society purchased its present home, a larger site for the sum of $1,800.00. The Fair Building was moved by sleigh to its new home. In 1960 the centennial of the Fair was celebrated with five thousand people witnessing the dedication of the “Centennial Gate” and the plaques that are attached to them.

The Fair had been held in late September/early October, but often encountered cool weather, (a snowstorm in the early 1930’s) prompted a move to an earlier time in the month and in 1968 the Fair was moved to the third week of August. Again in 1983 the Fair moved ahead another month to July, where it has remained.

Throughout all these 145 years, the Fair has relied on its volunteers, who have made it what it is today. It is the only Fair in the township and a chance for the Community to come together each year to celebrate our rural lifestyle and agricultural in this province.

Some Fair Dates from the 1880’s:

1884 – Tuesday Sept 30th at Moose Creek

1885    – Wednesday Sept 30th at Avonmore

1886    – Thursday Sept 30th at Gravel Hill

1887 – Friday Sept 30th at Warina

Since 1888 the Fair has been held in Avonmore