OAAS News – Forest Fall Fair
~ September 20th to 22nd, 2024 ~
The Forest Fall Fair, established in 1870, returns from September 20th to 22nd, 2024, offering a dynamic mix of traditional and modern attractions that promise fun for all ages. As one of Ontario’s long-standing fairs, this year’s event is packed with excitement, featuring a wide array of activities and entertainment for the whole family.
A new and thrilling addition to the Forest Fall Fair is the Horse Jumping Show, which is sure to captivate equestrian fans with impressive displays of skill and grace. The Light Horse Show and Dairy Cattle Show continue to showcase the region’s agricultural heritage, celebrating the hard work of local farmers and livestock breeders.
Families will love the Petting Zoo, where children can get up close and personal with friendly farm animals, and the Baby Show Off Contest, where the youngest members of the community take center stage. For those looking for a bit of adventure, the Escape Room offers a fun and challenging experience.
Entertainment is a major draw at the Forest Fall Fair. The NorthFire Circus will dazzle fairgoers with their roaming characters, adding a touch of magic to the fairgrounds. The Ride the Vibe Motorcycle Stunt Shows are guaranteed to get hearts racing as stunt riders perform high-octane tricks and jumps. Live entertainment throughout the weekend will keep the atmosphere lively, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the night sky.
For thrill-seekers, the Midway offers a variety of rides and games, while adults can unwind in the Beer Garden, enjoying local brews and good company. The annual Forest Fall Fair Parade is always a crowd favorite, with floats, bands, and community groups marching through the streets.
With its rich history and diverse range of events, the Forest Fall Fair remains a beloved community tradition, blending old favorites with exciting new attractions for an unforgettable experience.
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 Forest Fall Fair
