| Markham Fair | |
|---|---|
.jpg) One of the fair's shows at night | |
| Genre | fall fair/Agricultural show |
| Dates | 4 days (week before Thanksgiving: last week of September or first week of October) |
| Location(s) | Markham, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 43°55′29″N 79°17′41″W / 43.92472°N 79.29478°W |
| Years active | 180 years |
| Founded | 1844 |
| Website | https://markhamfair.ca |
Markham Fair is one of Canada's oldest country fairs, an annual event established in 1844. It is located in Markham, Ontario and hosted by the Markham and East York Agricultural Society.[1] With over 700 volunteers working on more than 70 committees, Markham Fair is the largest community-based volunteer organization in Canada. The fair and fairgrounds are owned by the agricultural society.
The fair occurs annually on the weekend before Thanksgiving, and is attended by upwards of 80,000 people annually. Approximately 3,000 exhibitors enter more than 12,000 items, which are judged and put on display during the fair. Promoting excellence through competition in this way makes fairs unique in comparison to other events.
Agricultural societies used to meet on a regular basis to discuss various concepts of agricultural improvement such as livestock development and increased grain yields. Often the society would collectively purchase a bull or seed grain, which would be made available to members only. The fall fair would then be an opportunity for the farmers to compete by showing off the fruits of their labour.
Due to increased technology and rapid communication, agricultural societies no longer find it necessary to provide this service, but the Markham Fair continues to provide the community with a showcase for talents and products in a friendly competitive spirit.
As well as the competitive displays, the community is further brought together to enjoy various forms of entertainment such as horse and tractor pulls, a demolition derby, midway rides, and displays of farm animals.
The 2020 Markham Fair was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] This marked the Fair's third period of cancellation, as it was also cancelled in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I and from 1942 to 1944 due to World War II.
The 2021 Fair was held but required prepurchased tickets and physical distancing by means of one way walk through fairgrounds. Food vendors were available near the exit but there was no midway.
- ^ For a fuller history, Cf. Isabel Champion, ed., Markham: 1793-1900 (Markham, ON: Markham Historical Society, 1979), pp. 266-270; also Myra Chepack, "Markham Fair President 1910: James McCreight Armstrong[permanent dead link]," Markham Fair official website.
- ^ "Cancellation of 2020 Markham Fair". Markham Fair Committee. Retrieved May 22, 2020.