Growing up in rural Eastern Ontario I feel like I have been going to country fairs since birth. Probably not that long, but it has been as long as I can remember. As a child I remember loving the animals, the rides, the sights and the smells. From cotton candy, to horses, it was an adventure.
As an adult I stopped going for awhile but since the birth of my boys it is something that I have been excited to return to. Whether it be a fair in my local area or a day trip away, there is so much to see, do, and learn from these exhibitions of agriculture, entertainment, crafts, arts and community.
This weekend we went on a road trip to a small town fair. It was small, it was fun and our boys had a great time. They loved taking a pony ride for the first time, holding a baby chicken, riding a roller coaster and eating ice cream for lunch.
Looking for a fair to attend – check out this website (http://www.ontariofairs.org/) – and this list for just the month of August. So many fabulous fairs to visit and enjoy:
August1-3 Kenora 15
2-5 Lombardy 2
2-5 Napanee 3
3-4 Ridgetown 9
7-11 Cdn Lakehead Ex 15
8-11 Arnprior 2
8-11 Navan 1
8-11 Peterborough 4
8-11 Sutton 5
9-10 Wilberforce 4
9-11 Aylmer & East Elgin 13
9-11 Campbellford Seymour 3
9-11 Comber 9
9-11 Drayton 7
10-11 Dungannon 8
9-11 Fenelon 4
9-11 Merrickville 1
9-11 Williamstown 1
15-25 Central Cdn Exhibition 1
15-17 Rainy River/Emo 15
16-18 Porquis 14
15-18 Tillsonburg Tri County 7
15-18 Stirling 3
15-18 Vankleek Hill 1
15-18 South Mountain 1
16*-17 Dunchurch 11
16-17 Minden 4
16-18 Bayfield 8
16-18 Milverton 8
16-18 Hanover 10
16-18 North Shore 12
16-18 Providence Bay 12
16 – Sept 2 Canadian National Ex 5
17 & 24 Grand River 7
17 Melbourne 13
17-18 Bonfield 11
17-18 Dunnville 6
21-25 Essa & District (Barrie) 5
22-24 Dryden & District 15
22-25 Woodstock 7
23-24 Coe Hill 3
23-25 Cobden 2
22-24 Cochrane 14
23*-24 Blackstock 4
23-25 Markdale 10
23-25 Massey 12
23-25 Palmerston 7
23-25 Parham 3
23-25 Riceville 1
23-25 Shannonville 3
23-25 Teeswater 10
24-25 Murillo – Oliver 15
24-25 Shedden 13
24-25 Trout Creek 11
24 Emsdale 11
24 Maberly 2
24 Rosseau 11
Have you been to a fair? What was your favorite part?
Kerrie blogs at Family Food and Travel. She is a mom of twin boys (born March 2010) who she often refers to as the ‘twinado’. Kerrie loves, writing, travel, photography, and fabulous food. Prior to kids, Kerrie was an avid reader and scrapbooker and hopes to one day return to those activities. Kerrie once considered herself successful, that was until she attempted toilet training twins.
I've been attending the Sutton Fair for my entire life! It's a tradition even for people that have moved away to come back to the fair at least on the Saturday to see old friends. I've been to quite a few others – Lindsay, Peterborough, Barrie & Markham – some don't exist anymore but some of my best memories from growing up are from going to the Fair!