OAAS News – Spencerville Fair
~ September 12th to 15th, 2024 ~
The Spencerville Fair, taking place from September 12th to 15th, 2024, marks a significant milestone as it celebrates its 169th year. With the fitting theme “Come Home to Your Fair,” this beloved event invites everyone to reconnect with the rich traditions, community spirit, and agricultural heritage that have made the Spencerville Fair a cherished gathering for generations.
The Spencerville Fair is a true showcase of rural life, with its cornerstone events being the livestock exhibitions and competitions. Visitors can admire a diverse array of animals, from cattle and sheep to poultry, as local farmers and 4-H members present their best in show. These competitions not only highlight the hard work and dedication of the agricultural community but also offer a fascinating insight into the importance of farming in the region.
In addition to the livestock displays, the Spencerville Fair features vibrant exhibits of locally grown produce. These displays are a feast for the eyes, showcasing the bounty of the harvest season with everything from pumpkins and squash to apples and corn. The educational exhibits and demonstrations provide valuable knowledge on agricultural practices, sustainability, and rural traditions, making them a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about where their food comes from.
Entertainment is plentiful at the Spencerville Fair, with carnival rides offering fun for all ages. From thrilling roller coasters to classic Ferris wheels, the midway is sure to delight visitors young and old. Live music performances add to the festive atmosphere, with local bands and artists taking the stage to provide a lively soundtrack to the weekend’s festivities.
As one of the oldest fairs in the region, the Spencerville Fair is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of community, history, and the enduring spirit of rural life. Whether you’re exploring the exhibits, enjoying the rides, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, this fair offers a warm and welcoming experience that truly feels like coming home.
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 Spencerville Fair
