OAAS News – Elmvale Fall Fair
~ October 10th and 12th, 2024 ~
The Elmvale Fall Fair, established in 1859, takes place from October 10th to 12th, 2024, continuing its proud tradition of celebrating agriculture, family, and community spirit. As one of Ontario’s classic fall fairs, Elmvale offers a diverse lineup of events and activities that draw visitors of all ages for a weekend of fun and entertainment.
The Elmvale Fall Fair’s indoor displays are a must-see, showcasing Quilt, Homecraft, and Culinary Exhibits that highlight local talent and craftsmanship. The Junior Fair, featuring creative works by young participants, offers a glimpse into the next generation’s skills and enthusiasm. For families, the Baby Show is a heartwarming event, and the fair also features two colorful parades, bringing the streets of Elmvale to life with floats, music, and more.
Agriculture takes center stage with impressive Heavy Horse, Sheep, and Cattle Shows, where visitors can watch livestock in action. The Truck and Tractor Pulls, along with Stock Truck and Tractor Pulling competitions, provide high-energy excitement, drawing in crowds for their sheer power and competitive spirit.
The Elmvale Fall Fair is also home to a robust 4-H presence, with the 4-H Club Achievement Day giving young members the opportunity to showcase their hard work. Children can participate in the Pedal Tractor Pull, a favorite for younger fairgoers, while farm animal displays provide a hands-on learning experience about rural life.
The Elmvale Fall Fair Midway offers classic rides and carnival games, and a variety of shows and performances keep everyone entertained throughout the event. The fair also hosts an Ambassador Program and a Bicycle Draw, giving everyone a chance to take part in the festivities.
With its blend of agricultural exhibits, family-friendly entertainment, and traditional fair activities, the Elmvale Fall Fair promises a memorable weekend celebrating community and harvest traditions. This year’s fair theme is “Memories: Now and Then”
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 Elmvale Fall Fair
