Agricultural Fairs have been a feature of rural life in Ontario for well over a century.
Almost as soon as settlers had cleared their lands and built their homesteads, they started coming together, annually to sell their livestock, show off their needlework, canning and baking skills, vie for bragging rights, and celebrate life in a new land.
The 169th annual Schomberg Agricultural Spring Fair will be taking place in the village of Schomberg, May 23 to 26. The theme for 2019 is “Bees, Blooms and Butterflies,” a salute to the importance of pollinators in agriculture.
Fair activities this year include a beef show, 4-H Dairy Show, midway rides, homecraft exhibits, draught horse demonstrations and teams, demolition derby, and on-stage entertainment by local bands and groups. Entertainers include Doo-Doo the Clown, Magician Aaron Matthews, and FMXer Jason Thorne.
Thursday is Toonie Thursday, with two-for-one admission and $2 rides.
The demolition derby is a Friday night staple, with the “winner” taking part in Saturday morning's Schomberg Fair Parade on Main Street, starting at 11 a.m.
Saturday is one of the busiest days of the fair, with opening ceremonies at noon following the parade, a beer garden, midway, face-painting, draught horse shows and demonstrations starting at 10 a.m. There's also entertainment and homecraft exhibits.
Sunday is Family Day, featuring 4-H Beef and Dairy livestock shows, and kid-friendly activities that include a baby show, pet show and mutt show, offering fun and prizes.
“I would encourage all of you from the urban and rural population to come and see everything our fair has to offer,” said Fair President, Ryan Lahey.
For more information, see www.schombergfair.com.
