The days are shorter, evenings cooler and excitement is building for fall fair season.
Get ready for roller-coasters, demolition derbies, candy floss, livestock displays and more, with nearly two dozen fairs and festivals on the calendar in the coming weeks.
The ride operator with Campbell Amusements watches as Zero Gravity spins at the Binbrook Fall Fair. This year’s fair runs Sept. 12 to 15.
The Hamilton Spectator file photoSupported by farmers and agricultural societies, late summer and fall fairs offer a glimpse of rural life and remind us of where our food comes from.
Mark your calendars and get ready for another season.
Sept. 21 and 22
St. George Apple Festival
Celebrate the fall harvest in scenic St. George by sampling freshly baked apple pie and visiting more than 120 vendors, including local farms. You can also enjoy a street dance, local artisans and quaint shops along Main Street. St. George is located on Highway 5, west of Flamborough.
Livestock displays are a key feature of the Ancaster Fair each year.
Mike Pearson Metroland file photoSept. 19 to 22
Ancaster Fair
The 174th Ancaster Fair features demolition derbies, livestock and agriculture exhibits, live music and entertainment, a midway and more. Purchase a weekend pass online for $35 and catch all the action. Daily adult admission is $13. Admission is $5 during opening night on Thursday. Fair hours are Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at 630 Trinity Rd., Jerseyville.
The Ancaster Fair returns Sept. 19 to 22, one of many fall fairs and festivals to mark on your calendar.
Metroland file photoSept. 19 to 21
Wainfleet Fall Fair
Pony rides, a petting zoo, antique power displays, bouncy castles, a kids train and climbing wall are among the featured attractions at this year’s event. You can also enjoy the midway, cattle show, demolition derby, food booths and more. Admission rates vary. The fairgrounds are located on Highway 3, at 31943 Park St., Wainfleet.
Sept. 21 to 22
Telling Tales
Telling Tales, a free literary festival designed to help children foster a love of reading, returns to the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park (680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington). This year’s event features more than 40 authors with a renewed commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The festival includes programming tents organized by age groups to make it easier for kids, parents, and caregivers to find age-appropriate authors and illustrators. Visit tellingtales.org.
Aug. 24 to Sept. 28
Festival of Fountains — The Night Garden
A feast for the eyes and ears, enjoy an immersive storytelling experience through water, light and sound. Explore a scenic 22-acre botanical garden before nightfall, sample on-site snack and beverage hospitality and listen to live musical entertainment. Whistling Gardens is located at 698 Concession 3 Townsend, Wilsonville. Visit whistlinggardens.ca.
Sept. 27 to 29
The Milton Fair
“Homestead and Homemade Bread” is the theme for this year’s fair, featuring entertainment, a midway, food vendors and a fireworks display. Other attractions include demolition derbies, classic cars, horse shows, a livestock display barn, petting zoo, agricultural awareness tent and vendors. Hours are Friday from 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adult and $5 for parking. The fairgrounds are at 136 Robert St.
Sept. 26 to 29
Caledonia Fair
The 152nd Caledonia Fair features the thrills of the midway, fun food fare and entertainment with live music and demolition derbies. View livestock displays and interact with farm animals, see creative art displays and browse a variety of artisan vendors. Hours are Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m., Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Regular admission on Thursday is $10 or $5 with a non-perishable donation to the Caledonia and District Food Bank. Friday to Sunday admission is $12 online in advance or $15 at the gate. The fairgrounds are at 151 Caithness St. E. (Highway 54) in Caledonia.
Oct. 8 to 14
Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show
One of Ontario’s largest fall fairs brings an estimated 115,000 visitors annually to Simcoe for a seven-day agricultural extravaganza on Thanksgiving weekend. The fair features more than 15,000 entries in equine, art, livestock, poultry, garden products, home craft and photography competitions. See giant pumpkins, meet a baby lamb, hear live concerts and enjoy five days of motorsports from the grandstands. The fairgrounds are located at 172 South Dr., Simcoe. See norfolkagsociety.com for details on this year’s event, when available.
Oct. 11 to 14
Rockton World’s Fair
The Rockton Agricultural Society has been welcoming the world to enjoy a Thanksgiving tradition since 1852. The four-day event includes demolition derbies, livestock displays, a midway, 4-H, horse shows, a chuckwagon competition, pie-eating contest, craft sales, festival food and more. Adult admission is $15. Parking is free. Visit the fairgrounds at 812 Old Highway 8, Rockton.
Oct. 12 to 14
Burford Fall Fair
Burford buzzes on Thanksgiving weekend with demolition derbies, a kids pedal pull, horse show, monster trucks, antique car show and more. The fairgrounds are located at 6 Park Ave., Burford. For ticket information and hours, visit burfordfair.ca closer to the date.
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