OAAS News – Brigden Fair
~ October 11th to 14th, 2024 ~
The Brigden Fair, one of Ontario’s oldest and most beloved agricultural fairs, returns from October 11th to 14th, 2024. Established in 1850, this year’s theme, “Country Roots & Rubber Boots,” celebrates the fair’s rural heritage and community spirit.
A staple of the Brigden Fair is its agricultural focus, with Livestock Shows featuring Light and Heavy Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Poultry. These displays highlight the region’s farming traditions and showcase the hard work of local farmers. The 4-H Club Displays and Shows are another central element, offering young agricultural enthusiasts the opportunity to present their skills and knowledge. The Children’s Rabbit & Guinea Pig Show is a favorite for families, providing an up-close experience with small animals.
Homecraft and Agricultural Displays demonstrate the creativity and resourcefulness of the local community, while the Culinary Department highlights delicious homemade goods. Comfort Classes, where items are donated to local charities, add a philanthropic touch to the fair. The Industrial Arts section, Yard Display Competition, and Baby Show ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Children will love Ploughman’s Farmyard, an educational activity center designed to engage young fairgoers in farm-related learning experiences. For thrill-seekers, the Tractor Pull and the always-popular Demolition Derby provide high-energy excitement. The World’s Finest Shows Midway adds a carnival atmosphere with rides and games for all ages.
Vendors offering a wide range of goods and local delicacies are scattered throughout the Brigden Fair grounds, and live entertainment keeps the crowd entertained throughout the weekend. The Parade, a highlight of the fair, brings the community together with a festive and colorful procession celebrating Brigden’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage.
With its blend of agriculture, entertainment, and family fun, the Brigden Fair continues to be a cherished event that celebrates the heart and soul of the rural community.
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 Brigden Fair
