OAAS News – Rockton World’s Fair
~ October 11th to 14th, 2024 ~
The Rockton World’s Fair, celebrating its rich history since 1852, will take place from October 11th to 14th, 2024. This iconic fair has become a hallmark event in Ontario, known for its deep agricultural roots and wide array of family-friendly activities and entertainment.
One of the Rockton World’s Fair’s main attractions is its focus on farm animals and agricultural demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to get up close to amazing livestock and learn about farming traditions. The Livestock and Horse Shows feature some of the finest animals in the region, showcasing the hard work of local farmers. For those fascinated by history, the fair also highlights rural roots with an impressive display of restored tractors and machinery, offering a glimpse into the evolution of farming
.
Children will enjoy hands-on experiences in the Rockton World’s Fair’s interactive features, such as the children’s corn pit and the ever-popular coloring contest. The Poultry, Pigeon & Rabbit Show adds another layer of animal fun, while the Heavy Horse Show highlights the strength and elegance of these magnificent animals, complete with impressive wagons and shiny harnesses.
For thrill-seekers, the Demolition Derby offers exciting crashes and competition, while the Great Lakes Helicopter Rides provide a bird’s-eye view of the fairgrounds and surrounding countryside. The School Fair brings out local talent with educational exhibits and showcases of student work.
Throughout the weekend, live entertainment keeps the atmosphere lively, offering music and performances for all ages. With its combination of traditional agricultural exhibits, family activities, and unique attractions, the Rockton World’s Fair continues to celebrate the spirit of community and rural heritage, making it a must-visit event for families and fair enthusiasts alike.
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 Rockton World’s Fair
