Norwood Fair to celebrate 150 years
Event this weekend with agricultural exhibitions, rides
A few coloured leaves and a slight chill in the early morning hours is nature’s subtle reminder that the fall is upon us.
Fall is a special time of year, the garden’s bounty of vegetables and fruits are ready for harvest and nature’s colours are at their most vibrant and of course there is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving festivities involve many traditions from the gathering of friends and family to turkey and pumpkin pie.
The village of Norwood celebrates this holiday weekend with its own unique tradition - The Norwood Fair. This year marks the 150th year for the Norwood Agricultural Society (The body responsible for organizing the fair each year); it was officially organized in 1868. The fair however has humble beginnings dating back considerably earlier, to a much simpler time when village folk would gather together to celebrate the harvest, catch up with each other and just have a little fun for a couple of days at the close of what undoubtedly was a busy season.
Even from its earliest beginnings the fair has always been a place for area residents to display the fruits of their labours and an opportunity for some friendly competition between friends and neighbours.
Throughout the years the fair has always maintained and treasured its Agricultural Heritage and today the organizers are justifiably a little proud to be able to call Norwood’s Thanksgiving Tradition a “Good Old Country Fair.”
The fair has come a long way over the years. The annual event is now one of the most wellknown and anticipated fairs in the region; with an incredible variety of events spread over the three days of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
There is something for everyone ranging from horse, cattle and goat shows to midway rides, antique tractor demonstrations and lawnmower racing. You can also introduce your children to a host of farm animals at Old Macdonald’s Farm Petting Zoo. Opening day (Saturday) features one of the largest antique and classic car shows in the area as well as the traditional opening day parade.
Sunday features events that include a sheep dog demonstration and the Hot Diggity Dogs flyball show. Monday is the day for Ontario Xtreme Cowboy and the heavy horse pulls. Plus there are always plenty of vendors with many offering up local products and produce. There is also never a shortage of live musical entertainment and definitely no Norwood Fair would be complete without candy apples, cotton candy and the famous Ellis taffy too.
In honour of our 150th year we have chosen “Proud of the Past, Poised for the Future” as our theme this year and it is true, we do hold on to and respect our past, we treasure our agricultural roots, we take our direction from those who have come before us. However, we also know we can not dwell in the past, so with our foundation well established and holding firm we face the future head on. Our theme this year demonstrates this philosophy perfectly we are proud of our past and we are poised for the future.
Hopefully you will make the trip to the picturesque village of Norwood on Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy some quality time together and have some fun. The grounds and buildings are all wheelchair accessible, parking is free and shuttle buggies run regularly around the grounds and out to the parking lot.
For up to the minute news you can find them on Facebook and Twitter and for a complete list of all their events as well as detailed directions on how to get there you can visit their website at www.norwoodfair.com. See you at the fair!