OAAS News – Bracebridge Fall Fair
~ September 13th to 15th, 2024 ~
The Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show, taking place from September 13th to 15th, 2024, is set to offer an exciting weekend filled with a blend of traditional and contemporary attractions. As one of the most cherished events in the region, the fair promises to deliver a memorable experience for all who attend.
The Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show midway will be a focal point of fun, offering a variety of rides and games that appeal to both children and adults. For those who enjoy stepping back in time, the old-fashioned square dance provides the perfect opportunity to experience a slice of history, complete with lively music and community spirit.
Equestrian enthusiasts will be delighted by the Bracebridge Fall Fair English and Western horse shows, which showcase the beauty and skill of both horses and riders. The excitement continues with the horse and tractor pulls, where raw power and precision are on full display as competitors vie for top honors.
Families can enjoy wagon rides through the Bracebridge Fall Fair grounds, offering a relaxing way to take in the sights. The Birds of Prey demonstration is sure to captivate audiences as these majestic creatures showcase their impressive abilities. The Lumberjack Show adds to the excitement, featuring skilled lumberjacks performing feats of strength and agility.
The Super Dogs Show is another highlight, featuring talented canines performing incredible tricks that will delight audiences of all ages. For younger visitors, pony rides and a petting zoo provide hands-on experiences with animals, while the livestock shows, including rabbits, poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats, highlight the region’s agricultural heritage.
Vendors will offer a wide array of goods, perfect for picking up unique gifts or indulging in delicious treats. The Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show Harvest Supper is a must-attend, offering a hearty meal that celebrates the bounty of the season. Don’t miss the Commonwealth Giant Vegetable weigh-off, where growers compete to see who has produced the largest and most impressive vegetables.
With live musical entertainment and numerous displays, the Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show offers something for everyone. It’s a weekend celebration of community, tradition, and fun that you won’t want to miss.
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 Bracebridge Fall Fair
