OAAS News – Dorchester Fair
~ October 11th to 14th, 2024 ~
The Dorchester Fair, celebrating its 169th year, will be held from October 11th to 14th, 2024. Established in 1855, this long-running event remains a highlight of the fall season, combining agricultural traditions with modern entertainment to create a fun and engaging experience for all ages.
One of the standout features of the Dorchester Fair continues is the Saturday Parade, which brings together local groups, businesses, and community members in a colorful display of floats, music, and celebration. This parade is a perfect way to kick off the weekend festivities, showcasing the community’s pride and spirit.
Agriculture plays a central role at the Dorchester Fair, with Agricultural Displays that highlight local farming practices, livestock, and produce. These exhibits give visitors a chance to learn about the area’s rich agricultural heritage and see firsthand the fruits of local farmers’ labor. Complementing these displays are the Homecraft Exhibits, where handmade crafts, baked goods, and textiles are showcased, reflecting the creativity and skill of local artisans.
The Dorchester Fair continues Midway adds excitement with rides and games for thrill-seekers and families alike, providing fun for all ages. For those looking for high-octane entertainment, the Demolition Derby is sure to deliver with its thrilling crashes and competitive energy.
The Dorchester Fair’s Ambassador Program adds a touch of tradition and honors local youth, who serve as representatives of the community. Visitors can also enjoy live performances at the Outdoor Entertainment Stage, featuring a variety of music and entertainment throughout the weekend.
With its blend of agricultural exhibits, lively entertainment, and family-friendly activities, the Dorchester Fair continues to be a beloved event that brings the community together in celebration of rural life and tradition.
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 Dorchester Fair
