OAAS News – Roseneath Fair
~ October 3rd and 6h, 2024 ~
The Roseneath Fair, established in 1851, is a cherished tradition in Ontario’s fall fair season. Taking place from October 3rd to 6th, 2024, the fair offers a mix of agricultural exhibitions, family-friendly attractions, and thrilling entertainment, all centered around the historic C.W. Parker Carousel, one of the fair’s most iconic features.
A key part of the Roseneath Fair r’s appeal is its agricultural focus, with Junior Work, Homecraft displays, and exhibits of scarecrows, vegetables, fruits, plants, and flowers showcasing local talent and hard work. Field Crop Competitions add to the agricultural spirit, offering a chance to witness the best of the region’s farming produce.
The Horse and Heavy Horse Pulls are crowd favorites, where visitors can marvel at the strength and teamwork of these majestic animals. The Midway adds a layer of excitement, featuring rides and games for all ages. Machinery enthusiasts can enjoy the Antique Tractor Pull and Truck Pull, events that highlight the power and nostalgia of vintage vehicles.
This year, the Roseneath Fair is introducing a new attraction: the K9 Team Dog Show. This exciting event promises to be a hit with animal lovers, showcasing the incredible agility and discipline of trained dogs. For fans of high-octane action, the Demolition Derby is sure to entertain with its crashing vehicles and competitive energy.
The Roseneath Fair also offers a Beer Garden and Live Entertainment, providing a lively atmosphere for visitors to relax and enjoy. With plenty of food options, local vendors, and activities for all ages, the Roseneath Fair promises a memorable experience for the whole family.
Steeped in history and brimming with excitement, the Roseneath Fair continues to be a vibrant celebration of community, agriculture, and entertainment.
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 Roseneath Fair
