OAAS News – Tiverton Fall Fair
~ October 3rd and 6th, 2024 ~
The Tiverton Fall Fair, celebrating its long-standing tradition since 1861, returns from October 3rd to 6th, 2024. This year’s theme, “Pumpkins Kisses & Harvest Wishes,” sets the tone for a festive and fun-filled celebration of fall and community spirit. The Tiverton Fall Fair is known for its lively atmosphere, blending agricultural exhibits, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
A standout feature of the Tiverton Fall Fair is its Midway, offering classic rides and games that appeal to all ages. Visitors can also participate in the highly anticipated Fall Fair Quilt Draw, a long-standing tradition that showcases local craftsmanship. For those who love engines and power, the Truck and Tractor Pull events are sure to thrill, with lawn and garden tractor pulls adding a competitive edge to the lineup.
Children will enjoy a range of Tiverton Fall Fair activities, from the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull and Scavenger Hunt to the “Needle in a Haystack” game, ensuring there’s plenty of fun for young visitors. The Zoo to You attraction provides an educational and interactive animal experience, perfect for families.
The Tiverton Fall Fair also offers plenty of entertainment, with local musicians taking the stage to perform throughout the event. The Beer Garden provides a lively space to relax and enjoy the festivities, while the Pie and Cake Auction invites friendly bidding on delicious homemade treats.
Traditional events such as the Saddle Horse Show, Miniature Horse Show, and the Antique Tractor Display reflect the Tiverton Fall Fair s agricultural roots. The Parade is another much-loved highlight, bringing together the community in a colorful and festive procession.
With live entertainment, a Fall Fair Dance, and many more activities, the Tiverton Fall Fair promises a memorable experience for all, celebrating the best of the harvest season.
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 Tiverton Fall Fair
