OAAS News – Richmond Fair
~ September 19th to 24th, 2024 ~
The Richmond Fair, celebrating its monumental 180th anniversary from September 19th to 24th, 2024, is set to be an exciting showcase of tradition and community spirit. As one of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs, this six-day event brings together a wide array of attractions and competitions that highlight the area’s rich rural heritage.
Agriculture takes center stage with several highly anticipated Richmond Fair shows, including the Open Junior Dairy Show, Open Dairy Show, Sheep Show, and the impressive Heavy Horse Show. For equestrian enthusiasts, the Saddle & Harness Horse Show and the Open Horse & Pony Show are sure to be crowd-pleasers, showcasing the beauty and skill of these majestic animals. These events offer a perfect chance to witness top-tier livestock and horses from across the region.
One of the Richmond Fair’s signature highlights is the Richmond Fair Parade, a vibrant display of floats, community groups, and local bands that brings a festive atmosphere to the streets of Richmond. The parade, a beloved tradition, is a reflection of the community’s deep roots and local pride.
Thrill-seekers will find plenty of excitement at the midway, where a wide variety of rides and games will entertain visitors of all ages. The Richmond Fair’s outdoor entertainment lineup will keep the atmosphere lively throughout the weekend, with live music and performances adding to the festive spirit.
The demolition derby is another fan-favorite, offering adrenaline-pumping action as cars crash and compete in this thrilling event. For a unique twist, don’t miss the Lawn Mower Pull, a fun and competitive event that showcases creativity and horsepower in an unconventional way.
From Homecraft exhibits to hands-on family activities, the Richmond Fair continues to be a community staple, celebrating its agricultural roots while offering something for everyone. This year’s 180th anniversary promises to be a memorable experience for all who attend.
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 Richmond Fair
