OAAS News – Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
~ October 8th to 14th, 2024 ~
The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, established in 1840, returns from October 8th to 14th, 2024, celebrating its rich agricultural heritage and community spirit. As one of Ontario’s oldest and largest fairs, this beloved event offers a perfect blend of tradition, entertainment, and family fun.
At the heart of the Norfolk County Fair are its impressive agricultural exhibits and competitions, which showcase the best local produce, livestock, and farming practices. Visitors can explore livestock displays, watch thrilling agricultural competitions, and admire artisanal crafts that highlight the region’s skilled artisans. Equestrian enthusiasts will be captivated by the horse shows, where talented riders and horses compete in various events, displaying grace and precision.
In addition to its agricultural roots, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show features a wide range of entertainment options. Carnival rides and games provide excitement for visitors of all ages, with a vibrant midway full of fun attractions. For those who enjoy live performances, the fair offers a lineup of live music, bringing both local and national acts to the stage.
Culinary delights are another highlight, with food vendors offering everything from classic fair treats to gourmet creations. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can also explore the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show artisanal crafts market, where local makers showcase unique goods, perfect for browsing or bringing home a handmade souvenir.
With its combination of agricultural exhibits, thrilling entertainment, carnival fun, and delicious food, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show remains a must-visit event for families and fair enthusiasts alike. Steeped in history and tradition, this fall fair continues to bring the community together for an unforgettable celebration.
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 Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
