OAAS News – Parkhill Fair
~ August 8th to 11th, 2024 ~
Parkhill Fair volunteers are working hard to make this year’s Fair fun-tastic! We could use your help in many different areas, whatever your capabilities are.
Get ready for a journey back in time at the 164th Parkhill Fair, happening from August 8th to 11th, 2024. This historic event celebrates the rich agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit of Parkhill, Ontario.
Step into a world of nostalgia as you explore the Parkhill Fair grounds filled with charming exhibits, traditional livestock shows, and thrilling amusement rides. From the excitement of tractor pulls to the elegance of horse competitions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Indulge in mouthwatering fair food, from classic funnel cakes to savory barbecue delights. Satisfy your craving for nostalgia with a stroll through the vendor booths, where local artisans showcase their handmade crafts and unique treasures.
Experience the thrill of live entertainment, with performances ranging from local musicians to professional acts that will keep you dancing all night long. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky, a fitting finale to this unforgettable celebration.
For the little ones, the Parkhill Fair offers a variety of activities and attractions, including petting zoos, pony rides, and interactive exhibits that spark their curiosity and imagination.
But the Parkhill Fair is more than just a weekend of fun—it’s a celebration of community pride and resilience. It’s a time for neighbors to come together, reconnect, and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
So, mark your calendars and join us for the 164th Parkhill Fair, where the spirit of tradition and the excitement of the present combine for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, you’re sure to be captivated by the charm and hospitality of Parkhill, Ontario, at this historic event.
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 Parkhill Fair
