Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show

Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show
Location: Simcoe, Ontario
Opened: 1840
Season: October
Sponsor: Various
Events: animal shows, professional art, agriculture-related events, food-related events

The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show is an annual agricultural fair that takes place in the town of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. This festivity begins on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and ends on the Canadian Thanksgiving Monday. Since 1840, the fair has been active in Norfolk County on the 48-acre (190,000 m²) complex.^[1] There is also a horse track where paramutuel betting is offered on the Saturday and Monday. It is considered to be the fifth largest fair in Ontario.^[2]

Attractions

Inside one of the buildings, students from all over Norfolk County submit their artwork to be evaluated by the local judges. The top prize winners receive a small monetary cash prize. Larger prizes are offered for professional art, riding, horse, cattle and poultry shows. Other buildings feature commercial inventions and innovative technologies demonstrated to the local populace. Large vegetable and field crop competitions are held, including the classics like the heaviest pumpkin.^[2] In the past years, winners have weighed in more than one thousand pounds.^[2] Homecraft and Childcraft are a big part of displays with some of the finest in quilts and culinary arts at all age levels. Traditional and historic displays make this a "must see" area when you visit. Commercial demonstrations and product offerings remain a big part of "the Fair".

Patrons can still see them first with a variety of products which are either hand crafted or have been recently advertised on television. Innovative services are also being demonstrated and/or sold within the confines of the commercial building. Haggling is allowed to the merchants and is strongly encouraged. The rides consists of some of the world's finest travelling amusements for children, teenagers, and adults alike. One of Canada's largest horse shows, this local competition features many kinds of horses from miniatures, jumpers, Clydesdales and even Percherones.^[2] The traditional horse competitions, pulls and 8 horse hitch parade are spectacular.^[2] Cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, poultry and animals from every field and pen put on their finest coats for judging at one of the most important fairs on the circuit. Get real close to meet them nose to nose on competition days.

All around the facility is student art, displays and more special interest entertainment.

Food and entertainment

Both classic and new carnival-style foods like cotton candy, dixie dogs, pulled pork, french fries are everywhere. Patrons can enjoy the fresh taffy and fudge made on site as the demolition derbies, tractor pulls and finest Canadian stage acts take place Friday and Saturday nights. Popular bands like Emerson Drive, Blue Rodeo, and The Roadhammers have all entertained the fair with their individual style of beats and lyrics in the past years.

Local pride

Local schools are given opening Tuesday off from school to enjoy Young Canada Day at the fair; they receive a free admission and compete in competitions. While the festivities of the fair are occurring, the Simcoe Recreation Center is used to provide exhibition space for Flavourfest. This celebration brings out the best in local produce and products that you can purchase on site while swimming pool is closed for the duration of the county fair. On stage are demonstrations and shows with star chefs like Lynn Crawford and Massimo Capri in the kitchen while regional artists and bands perform.

References

1. ^ Norfolk County Fair - History
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Norfolk County Fair - Overview