Norwood Fall Fair News – The Thanksgiving Tradition Continues
~ October 12th and 14th, 2024 ~
NORWOOD, ON. – A Thanksgiving tradition since 1868, The Norwood Fall Fair is back for another year in the picturesque village of Norwood from October 12 – 14, 2024.
This year’s theme, “Country Roads Take Me Home”, celebrates the fair’s agricultural roots with all roads leading home to make memories with family and
friends over the holiday weekend.
All of the favourite Thanksgiving events, displays and attractions, that you’ve come to love over the years, will be here including our heavy and light horse shows, poultry show, steer show and sale, sheepdog demonstrations, and 4-H Beef, Goat and Dairy Calf and Junior Shows. We also have our antique tractor display and show and lawnmower races! The Antique and Classic Car Show returns on the Saturday with plenty of musical entertainment throughout the weekend on our stages. Our popular Homecraft division displays and the midway will be running all Thanksgiving weekend. It all kicks off with a parade through the village at noon on Saturday.
New this year, the Junior Fair Ambassador Competition in the Brethen Coliseum on Sunday October 13th, where grade 5 and 6 contestants from Asphodel- Norwood Township will compete for prizes!
For the full schedule of Fair Thanksgiving events, go to norwoodfair.com
Click HERE to visit the Norwood Fall Fair
Our History
The Norwood Fall Fair has been a Thanksgiving tradition since 1868. We invite you to take a look back with us to memorable events over these past decades.
Moments in History
1880 – Norwood Village granted The Agricultural Society $15 to rent the field which is now known as the Fairgrounds.
1887 – The Society changed its name to East Peterborough Agricultural Society.
1907 – Portable ticket booths were added to the Fair.
1911 – A water well was drilled to 157 feet a $2 per foot!
1916 – Ten country school fairs in the area were invited to compete at the Norwood Fair. The school fair was subsequently replaced with other events.
1923 – Admission fee was raised to 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children.
1927 – Subscriptions were sold to raise money for the Fair.
1936 – The first parade! The Havelock Band was hired for $12 to march from King’s Hotel to the Fairgrounds.
1939 – The Norwood Fair was cancelled due to “present world conditions” (World War 2 was declared that autumn).
1947 – The Norwood Fair is back with the return of the School Fair and a beauty contest for girls.
1953 – The Norwood Fair becomes a two-day event.
1954 – A Baby Show was added. 13 babies, but no spectators!
1955 – The gate receipts total was an Ontario record for a two day fair.
1958 – The Poultry and Horse sheds were destroyed by fire.
1959 – The G.A. Brethen Coliseum (local arena) was built.
1964 – New stands and bleachers were added to the Fair Grounds.
1966 – The Armouries were purchased.
1977 – New Curling Club was built.
1978 – The first Steer Show and Auction held at the Fair.
1979 – Ten acres of land was purchased for parking.
1981 – The Norwood Thanksgiving Weekend Fair is now a Class “A” Fair.
1986 – The first Old McDonalds Farm for children was added to the Fair.
1987 – The Norwood Agricultural Society gets its own constitution.
1989 – A new horse barn was built.
1990 – The “Future Farmers” beef show was introduced.
1993 – Addition of a new horse ring and poultry barn.
1996 – Blue Box recycling program instituted at the Fair.
1997 – New gates and fencing. 14 acres are purchased from the Cuthbertsons for a new recreation complex.
2000 – Portable stage built to house outdoor entertainment. Antique car show moves to high school field.
2002 – www.Norwoodfair.com web site is launched. All Agricultural Society buildings are now smoke free. 89 Antique tractors compete in Demonstration Pull.
2003 – New $3.9 million complex on land donated by the Agricultural Society.
2004 – “Cuthbertson Ring” build on east end of fairgrounds at a cost of $25,0000.00
2005 – “Stevenson Ring enlarged.
2006 – New furnace installed in the Exhibition Building. Former ball booth converted to showers and washrooms.
2007 – New Webmaster & new web site. ATM’s preview at our fair.
2008 – Norwood Fair Logo incorporated on to Norwood Post Office cancellation stamp.
New “Home of the Norwood Fair” grounds sign installed facing Alma St.
2009 – School Fair Prize Money increased. KIDZ Koral makes debut in Millennium Room.
2010 – New washrooms constructed at a cost of $200,000.00
