OAAS News – Listowel Fair
~ July 18th to 24th, 2024 ~
Plans are underway for the 2024 Listowel Agricultural Fair! Mark your calendars, July 18-21, 2024, as the Listowel Agricultural Society makes plans for many of the events that the community has come to know and love as a part of this 168 year community tradition.
Welcome to the 168th edition of the Listowel Fair, where tradition meets excitement from July 18 to 24, 2024. As one of the longest-standing fairs in the region, this annual event holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Nestled in the picturesque town of Listowel, this year’s Listowel Fair promises a week-long celebration of community spirit, agriculture, and entertainment. From thrilling rides to captivating exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Step into the Listowel Fair grounds and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly spun cotton candy and savory fair treats, enticing you to indulge in a culinary adventure.
Thrill-seekers will be delighted by the array of rides and attractions at the Listowel Fair Midway, offering everything from classic carnival rides to exhilarating roller coasters. Test your skills at the various carnival games and compete for prizes, creating unforgettable memories with friends and family.
Agricultural enthusiasts will marvel at the displays of prize-winning livestock and farm produce, showcasing the region’s rich agricultural heritage. From majestic horses to adorable farm animals, there’s plenty to see and learn about the importance of agriculture in our community.
Live entertainment takes center stage throughout the week, with performances by talented musicians, dancers, and entertainers. From toe-tapping live music to mesmerizing magic shows, there’s never a dull moment at the Listowel Fair.
Families will delight in the array of activities and attractions designed for kids of all ages. From petting zoos to face painting and interactive exhibits, there’s endless fun to be had for the little ones.
As the sun sets on another day of festivities, gather with friends and family to enjoy fireworks lighting up the night sky, creating a magical end to a perfect day at the Listowel Fair.
Join us for the 168th edition of the Listowel Fair and experience the magic of tradition and community spirit in the heart of Listowel.
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 Listowel Fair website.
