Fantastic Fall Fairs in Full Effect Across Ontario’s Cottage Country
Once the summer starts to wrap up, cooler temperatures prevail and the annual celebrations of all things rural get started. It’s fall fair season in Ontario’s cottage country – a chance to experience the agricultural lifestyle and simpler things as well as lots of delicious freshly-harvested food, livestock and exhilarating rides. Great fun for the whole family!
Here’s just a partial list of sweater weather fairs and events happening across the region, including the Bala Cranberry Festival:
Almaguin Highlands
Dunchurch Fall Fair August 16-17
Farmers Olympics, parade, petting zoo, exhibits, games, corn, refreshments, senior and junior sports, local history display, games and face painting, craft concessions, Science North exhibit and it is finished off on the Saturday with a square dance at the Dunchurch Community Centre.
Emsdale Agricultural Society August 24-25
Horse shows, baby show, classic car and trucks, parade, vendors, entertainment, exhibitors and so much more including Almaguin’s Next Top Clucker competition to find the area’s most eggstraordinary rooster and chicken!
Armour, Ryerson & Burk’s Falls Agricultural Society Fall Fair August 30 – September 2
The weekend kicks off with the Ontario Xtreme Cowboy clinic and show. The Sunday features and mutt and cat show and the 143rd Fall Fair will be held on the on the Labour Day Monday at the Burk’s Falls Fairgrounds.
South River/Machar Fall Fair September 6-7
A community staple for more than 130 years. This year boasts a parade, heavy horse pull, traditional kid’s games, music and dancing, food and local artisan vendors at the South River/Machar Community Centre.
Strong Agricultural Society Fall Fair September 13-14
Dating back to 1885, this year will feature a horse pull on Friday with the main events on Saturday. These include the parade, horse show, farmer’s market and events such as log sawing, and prizes for everything from the best honey, to baked goods and quilting.
Parry Sound
Rosseau Fall Fair August 24
All the fun of a small town fair with children’s decorated bikes, live music, silent auction table, tie dye T-shirts, Muskoka Pioneer Power display, children’s races, food, frog jumping contest, nail driving and log sawing events.
Foley Fall Fair August 31
A traditional fair with a few modern twists including Classic Championship Wrestling and live music from the Muskoka Roads Band. Don’t miss out on the delicious fair food like the Famous Foley beef on a bun, fries and poutine, hot dogs and hamburgers. This fair has lots of vendors and games for both kids and adults.
McKellar Agricultural Fall Fair September 7
Tug-of-war competitions, arm wrestling, races baked goods competition, horse show, livestock display
Parry Sound Bee & Honey Festival September 21
Held at Kinsmen Centennial Park it is a free event that is a great chance to meet local beekeepers, learn about bees and buy a variety of local honey. Enjoy food and other items made form bee bi-products or supporting bee awareness. Lots of fun and games for the kids!
Rosseau Pumpkin Festival October 12
There will be something for everyone, including bouncy castle, climbing wall, local and market vendors, pumpkin bingo, pumpkin decorating, birds of prey, local cuisine and farm animals. Activities run throughout the whole village.
Muskoka
Bracebridge Fall Fair & Horse Show September 13-15
For 157 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered to celebrate the farming season in Muskoka. Held at J.D. Lang Park, it features a parade, Farm Olympics, an enormous midway, wagon and pony rides, petting zoo, tractor and horse pulls, giant vegetable weigh-off, lumberjack show and the Super Dogs Wild Woof Show.
Huntsville Fall Fair September 20-22
A huge selection of events happening at the Fair Grounds over the weekend. Midway, giant vegetables, amazing food and kid’s games. It will also feature a sheep herding competition on the Saturday and a Demolition Derby on the Sunday at 12.30pm.
Township of Georgian Bay Honey Bee Festival September 28
A variety of honey-themed events from a pancake breakfast, scavenger hunt, art walk, marketplace at Honey Harbour and a beer garden. There is also a speed boat tour, kids’ zone and live music. Sweet!
Bala Cranberry Festival October 18-20
Always held the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Bala Cranberry Festival is one of the largest events in the region. For three days this small town lives up to its name as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario as it transforms into one of Ontario’s premier arts and crafts shows with hundreds of vendors. Every spare space in the town has vendors, live music, amazing food, entertainers/performers and attractions all weekend long. It is a celebration of all things cranberry! A visit to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh and Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery should definitely be a part of your festival experience.
Did we miss anything? Email [email protected] to be added to the list.