OAAS News – Ancaster Fair
~ September 19th to 22nd, 2024 ~
The Ancaster Fair, celebrating its 174th anniversary from September 19th to 22nd, 2024, is a testament to tradition and progress, perfectly captured by this year’s theme, “Rooted in Progress.” As one of Ontario’s oldest and most cherished agricultural fairs, it continues to honor its deep rural roots while embracing modern advancements in agriculture, entertainment, and community engagement.
A highlight of the Ancaster Fair is its extensive Homecraft and livestock exhibits, showcasing the best in local talent and farming. Visitors can admire beautifully handcrafted quilts, baked goods, and various agricultural displays, all competing for top honors. The livestock exhibits will feature cattle, sheep, and other farm animals, giving fairgoers a glimpse into the hard work that goes into raising animals and the importance of agriculture to the region.
For thrill-seekers, the fair’s 20+ ride midway promises excitement for all ages. From adrenaline-pumping rides to classic carnival games, the midway offers hours of fun and entertainment. Over 120 concessions will be available, offering a wide variety of food, drinks, and unique goods for visitors to enjoy as they stroll through the Ancaster Fair grounds.
A standout event of the Ancaster Fair is the demolition derby, which takes place over three consecutive nights. Crowds gather to cheer on drivers as they compete in this thrilling, metal-crashing spectacle, making it one of the most anticipated events of the weekend.
Live entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the fair, with performances and shows for all ages. Whether you’re there for the agricultural exhibits, the exhilarating rides, or the exciting demo derby, the Ancaster Fair is a community event that continues to thrive while celebrating its rich history and looking toward the future.
History of Agricultural Fairs
Fairs are almost as old as recorded history. There were two types of ancient fairs: trade shows and festivals. From the biblical “Fairs of Tyre” to Sturbridge Fair in medieval England, fairs were used as market places and carnivals. In the 1700’s the British crossed the agricultural improvement society with the traditional trade fair/carnival and agricultural fairs were born.
These agricultural fairs were transplanted to the colonies by the earliest British settlers. The concept of fairs soon flourished in agrarian North America. In Canada, the first agricultural society was formed in 1765 in Nova Scotia. Ontario followed suit in 1792 with the Agricultural Society of Upper Canada based at Niagara on the Lake. From the Ontario strongholds, the concept of agricultural fairs spread west with the first settlers.
After a few false starts, the system of agricultural societies and their fairs spread all over Ontario in the 1800’s. They were organized by county and township and at one time numbered over 500 in Ontario alone. While agricultural societies used many methods (of varying success) to improve agriculture and the rural lifestyle, they’re most enduring and endearing legacy was the agricultural fair. Industrial exhibitions and festivals came and went, but the fairs just carried on. Fairs soon became an ingrained part of Ontario’s (and indeed Canada’s) culture. They still are, in our society.
Ontario Fairs have changed since their inception, but they still carry on their mandate of promoting agriculture and the rural lifestyle.
Want to see modern tradition meet the modern world? Attend a fair!
Click HERE to visit the Ancaster Fair
