OAAS News – Lindsay Exhibition (LEX)
~ September 14th and 22nd, 2024 ~
The 170th Lindsay Exhibition, scheduled from September 14th to 22nd, 2024, stands as a grand showcase of agricultural excellence and community spirit in the heart of Ontario. This nine-day event, one of the longest and most diverse exhibitions in the area, brings together the best in livestock, crafts, and local produce, offering an expansive and engaging experience for all who attend.
One of the centerpieces of the Lindsay Exhibition is the livestock events. These include a spectacular six horse hitch presentation, a breathtaking display of coordination and power that captivates audiences each year. Alongside this, several beef cattle shows highlight some of the finest specimens in the region, along with competitions for dairy cattle, light horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Each event is a testament to the dedication and skill of local farmers and breeders, providing them an opportunity to showcase their best livestock.
A special highlight this year is the Homecraft committee’s quilt display. This Lindsay Exhibition exhibit will feature stunning handcrafted quilts, each a piece of art, showcasing intricate patterns and vibrant colors crafted by skilled artisans. This display not only celebrates the art of quilting but also preserves and promotes the craft within the community.
The Commonwell Exhibition Building will be another focal point, hosting an impressive display of giant vegetables. Here, local gardeners bring their largest and most unusual produce, competing for titles and celebrating the fruits of their labor. This Lindsay Exhibition display is not only a fun and awe-inspiring sight but also a great educational opportunity for visitors to learn about gardening and the potential of home-grown produce.
The Lindsay Exhibition offers more than just visual displays and competitions; it is a vibrant gathering place for the community, a celebration of local agriculture, and a showcase of rural talents. Whether you’re a farmer, a hobbyist, or simply looking for a fun day out with the family, the exhibition promises a wide array of activities and sights that are sure to enrich and entertain. From the thrill of the livestock events to the beauty of the quilts and the marvel of the giant vegetables, the Lindsay Exhibition is a highlight of the agricultural calendar.
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 Lindsay Exhibition (LEX)
