OAAS News – Embro Fall Fair
~ September 14th and 15th, 2024 ~
The Embro Fall Fair, taking place on September 14th and 15th, 2024, embodies the theme “Rewind and Refresh,” inviting the community to celebrate tradition while enjoying fresh new experiences. This fair seamlessly blends the charm of the past with the excitement of the present, making it a perfect destination for families, friends, and anyone looking to enjoy a weekend filled with fun and camaraderie.
Saturday the Embro Fall Fair kicks off with a serene outdoor yoga session, setting a peaceful tone for the day ahead. Participants can stretch and relax in the fresh morning air, preparing for the lively activities to come. As the day progresses, the fair grounds come alive with the sounds and sights of traditional fair events. The church service offers a moment of community reflection and unity, while the baby show and pet show bring smiles and laughter, showcasing the adorable talents of the youngest fairgoers and their furry friends.
A highlight of Saturday is the Embro Fall Fair community dinner, a gathering that fosters fellowship and enjoyment over delicious local cuisine. This meal leads into the evening’s entertainment, which promises a fun and engaging atmosphere for all ages. The junior and senior ambassador competitions are a focal point, celebrating local youths who demonstrate poise, community spirit, and leadership.
Sunday continues the excitement with several new additions to the Embro Fall Fair’s lineup. The youth zucchini races are sure to be a hit, featuring creatively decorated zucchinis in a friendly and humorous competition. Traditional fair games and the Farmer Olympics will offer everyone a chance to participate in fun and challenging activities, testing skill, strength, and teamwork.
For the younger attendees, face painting, a petting zoo, and the touch a truck event provides interactive fun and learning opportunities. The 3rd Annual Nash Memorial Car Show continues to be a family favorite, displaying an impressive array of classic and contemporary vehicles.
The Embro Fall Fair is a wonderful blend of nostalgia and innovation, truly capturing the essence of its theme, “Rewind and Refresh.” It’s a weekend that encourages community involvement, offers a wide range of activities for all ages, and leaves lasting memories of fun, friendship, and community spirit.
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 Embro Fall Fair
