OAAS News – Norwood Fall Fair
~ October 12th and 14th, 2024 ~
The Norwood Fall Fair, celebrating its long-standing tradition since 1868, returns from October 12th to 14th, 2024, with this year’s theme, “Country Roads Take Me Home!” This beloved event offers a perfect blend of classic rural charm and modern entertainment, ensuring an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Among the exciting Norwood Fall Fair highlights is Kouri’s Kopters Helicopter Tours, available on both Saturday and Sunday, offering breathtaking views of the fairgrounds and surrounding countryside. For those seeking thrilling competition, the Ontario Xtreme Cowboy Competition showcases the skill and agility of both horse and rider, while the Antique Car Show and Tractor Pull are sure to delight automotive enthusiasts.
The Norwood Fall Fair is packed with agricultural showcases, featuring Goat Shows, Sheep Shearing Demonstrations, and Crops and Home Arts Competitions, giving visitors a chance to witness the area’s rich farming heritage. The Horse Shows and Competitions further highlight the region’s equestrian traditions.
Music and entertainment abound throughout the weekend, with plenty of live performances creating a lively atmosphere. For family fun, the Norwood Fall Fair Midway offers thrilling rides and classic games, while the Parade brings the community together in a colorful procession. Young talents will have their time to shine during the Kid’s Talent Contest, making it a fun experience for children and families alike.
On Sunday afternoon, the excitement shifts gears with the Ontario Lawn Tractor Racing event, bringing high-speed action to the fairgrounds. Whether it’s the helicopter tours, the heart-pounding races, or the traditional agricultural displays, the Norwood Fall Fair offers a perfect fall weekend filled with entertainment, competition, 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 Norwood Fall Fair
