Rosseau Fall Fair
“August 23, 2025 – A Muskoka Tradition Since 1875!“
Step into the heart of Muskoka’s agricultural heritage and community pride at the 2025 Rosseau Fall Fair, happening Saturday, August 23rd! First held in 1875, this beloved event is celebrating an impressive 150 years of bringing together families, neighbours, and visitors for a day filled with old-fashioned fun, friendly competition, and rural tradition.
With its scenic lakeside charm, Rosseau offers the perfect setting for a fall fair that combines the warmth of a small-town gathering with the excitement of hands-on activities, music, and history.
Heritage, Homecrafts & Pioneer Power
The fairgrounds will be bustling with displays that highlight the talents and traditions of the community. Be sure to visit the Homecraft Exhibits, where local bakers, crafters, quilters, and gardeners proudly present their finest creations. From golden loaves of bread and homemade jams to intricate needlework and stunning floral arrangements, these entries celebrate the creativity and care that define the region.
One of the fair’s most unique features is the Muskoka Pioneer Power Display—a nostalgic showcase of antique engines, vintage tools, and early farming equipment, lovingly restored and maintained by local collectors. This hands-on display offers visitors of all ages a fascinating look at the machinery that once powered Muskoka’s farms and homes.
Laughter, Contests & Classic Country Fun
The Children’s Races are a lively staple of the fair, with youngsters lining up to compete in sack races, three-legged races, and more. Laughter fills the air as kids dash toward the finish line, cheered on by proud parents and enthusiastic spectators.
Another fair favourite is the Frog Jumping Contest—a quirky and delightful competition where kids bring their agile amphibians to the ring to see who can leap the farthest. It’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming!
Adults can test their strength and skills in the Nail Driving and Log Sawing Events, traditional competitions that harken back to the region’s logging roots. Whether you’re swinging a hammer or sawing in tandem, these challenges are as entertaining to watch as they are to compete in.
Live Music & Community Spirit
As the afternoon unfolds, a live band takes the stage, adding a musical backdrop to the day’s festivities. With toe-tapping tunes ranging from folk and country to classic rock, the music brings everyone together, whether you’re dancing, singing along, or simply relaxing with friends.
Celebrate 150 Years at the Rosseau Fall Fair!
The 2025 Rosseau Fall Fair is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of Muskoka’s rural heritage, creative spirit, and strong community bonds. Join us on August 23rd for a day of family-friendly fun, timeless traditions, and true small-town hospitality. Come make memories at a fair that’s been going strong for 150 years!
History of the Rosseau Fall Fair
The 2024 Rosseau Fall Fair, will be held on August 23, 2025 it marks the 150th Anniversary of the Rosseau Agricultural Society. . The first fair, called the Humphrey and Cardwell Agricultural Fall show was held on October 1st, 1875.
Early Humphrey Township records show that in May 1883, the municipality authorized the purchase of lot 18 on the west side of the Parry Sound Road (Hwy 141) for the construction of a township hall that was to be also used for the fall fair.
In 1907, the name of the agricultural group was changed to Rosseau Agricultural Society serving the residents of Humphrey, Cardwell, Watt and Christie Townships. The earliest exhibits were mainly livestock and produce, baking and dry-goods. Only preserves, jams and jellies made from local fruits were permitted to be entered in the competition.
SCHEDULE
The timing of the fair has changed somewhat over its long history. It started out as a one day event, with entering, judging and viewing being packed into the same day. It evolved into a three day fair for a few years. During the depression, in 1933 when finances were tight, the fair scaled back to a two day schedule with entries received the first day and judging and exhibiting taking place the second day. It has remained on this schedule ever since. The early fairs were typically held the last week of September, with a few exceptions in 1882 and 1883, when October 10th was fair day. The September date allowed the local schools to support the fair with entries. School children from Rosseau, Rosseau Falls, Hekkla, Orrville and Humphrey marched with their classes to the fall fair. However, when schools were amalgamated in the 1960’s, it was no longer possible to do so. The fair date was then moved to the last weekend in August before the Labour day weekend and remains the same to date. This change enabled summer residents and guest in Rosseau to both attend and exhibit in the fair.
FAIRGROUNDS
By the end of 1909, Humphrey Township bought six lots on west Ash Street and east Maple street for the creation of a permanent fairground. The first exhibition hall was built in 1915 and a kitchen was added to this building in 1925 at a cost of $175. There was no electricity or running water but there was a wood burning cook stove, the biggest convenience in the kitchen. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the Department of Agriculture provided a large tent to display the exhibits of the school children from the surrounding area.
The main building collapsed on March 2, 1979 from the weight of the snow on its roof. The small kitchen remained standing. Later in 1979, the current field house was built. This new building featured an updated kitchen with electricity.
EVENTS
The Rosseau Fall Fair has always retained the charm of a small town, old country fair. Over the years, the focus of the exhibits has changed from heavily agricultural to the current focus on home-crafts and gardening. Government regulations and insurance costs forced the elimination of livestock and poultry exhibits by the end of 1984. However, the increasing number of exhibits in home-crafts, including knitting, crochet, quilts, rugs, sewing and crafts keep the exhibit hall full and interesting to fair attendees. The junior fair has developed into a very popular attraction for school children.
The Rosseau Fall Fair strives to keep the old-fashioned flavour of a traditional fair with opportunities for family fun. A traditional parade through the village marks the opening of the fair staring at 10am. Events and attractions have included a decorated bicycle contest, log sawing, nail driving, fish pond, dunk tank, tug of war, dart and dime toss, running races and the ever-popular frog jumping contest. While fair vendors sell their wares, the 3rd Change Band provides musical entertainment for everyone to enjoy. The fair closes with the awarding of the trophies and prizes just before 4 pm.
In the past, some popular events included a dunk tank with the Rosseau Volunteer Fire Department and the Humphrey and District Skating Club, a cake walk by the Humphrey Play Group; tables of chance from the Dunchurch Lions Club from Dunchurch, bingo, Corn roast with the Orange Lodge, pony rides, face painting, glue coral, penny table; Trapper Bob Atkinson with demonstration of trapping techniques and Audrey Tournay with a beaver from Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
In the early years of the fair, events included ploughing matches, horseshoe pitching, baseball games, tug of war and the ever popular log sawing. Added to the entertainment list in 1918 was dancing in the eveni
