OAAS News – Avonmore Fair
~ July 20th & 21st, 2024 ~
Get ready for a weekend of fun and festivities at the Avonmore Fair, happening on July 20th and 21st, 2024. Nestled in the quaint town of Avonmore, this annual event promises two days packed with entertainment, agriculture, and community spirit.
As you arrive at the fairgrounds, you’ll be greeted by the vibrant sights and sounds of excitement. The air is filled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked fair treats, inviting you to indulge in a culinary adventure.
Thrill-seekers will find their adrenaline fix at the Avonmore Fair Midway, where a variety of rides and attractions await. From classic carnival rides to exhilarating roller coasters, there’s something for every level of excitement.
Agricultural enthusiasts will delight in the exhibits showcasing the region’s finest produce and livestock. Marvel at prize-winning animals, browse through displays of farm equipment, and learn about the importance of agriculture in the community.
Live entertainment fills the air throughout the weekend, with performances by local musicians, dancers, and entertainers. From toe-tapping live music to captivating stage shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Avonmore Fair.
Families can bond over interactive activities and games in the Avonmore Fair Kids’ Zone, where laughter and joy abound. From face painting to sack races and petting zoos, there’s endless fun for the little ones.
As the sun sets, gather with friends and family to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky, creating a magical end to a perfect day at the fair.
With its blend of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the Avonmore Fair is an event not to be missed. Join us for two days of fun, food, and unforgettable memories!
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 Avonmore Fair website.
