Our History

The Norwood Fall Fair has been a tradition since 1868. We invite you to take a look back with us to memorable events over these past decades.

Top Honours at the CNE   Christina Crowley 2005-2006 We are proud to record in our history that twice our very own Fair Ambassadors have won top honours at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition. The annual Ambassador of the Fairs competition attracts approximately 80 young women and men from across rural Ontario who are proud to share their comprehensive knowledge of Canadian agriculture. Tonia Barber 1993-1994 In order to be considered for the esteemed title of Ambassador of the Fairs, the contestants must first have competed and won at their local fair. The finalists then travel to Toronto for the three day judging competition. Through their poise, self-confidence, agricultural knowledge and prepared speeches, a candidate is chosen to represent the CNE for next year. The objective of the Ambassador of the Fairs is to promote, educate and inform the public on Canadian agriculture while bridging the gap between rural and urban communities.

• 1880 - Norwood Village granted The Agricultural Society $15 to rent the field which is now known as the Fairgrounds.
• 1887 - The Society changed its name to East Peterborough Agricultural Society.
• 1907 - Portable ticket booths were added to the Fair.
• 1911 - A water well was drilled to 157 feet a $2 per foot!
• 1916 - Ten country school fairs in the area were invited to compete at the Norwood Fair. The school fair was subsequently replaced with other events.
• 1923 - Admission fee was raised to 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children.
• 1927 - Subscriptions were sold to raise money for the Fair.
• 1936 - The first parade! The Havelock Band was hired for $12 to march from King's Hotel to the Fairgrounds.
• 1939 - The Norwood Fair was cancelled due to "present world conditions" (World War 2 was declared that autumn).
• 1947 - The Norwood Fair is back with the return of the School Fair and a beauty contest for girls.
• 1953 - The Norwood Fair becomes a two-day event.
• 1954 - A Baby Show was added. 13 babies, but no spectators!
• 1955 - The gate receipts total was an Ontario record for a two day fair.
• 1958 - The Poultry and Horse sheds were destroyed by fire.
• 1959 - The G.A. Brethen Coliseum (local arena) was built.
• 1964 - New stands and bleachers were added to the Fair Grounds.
• 1966 - The Armouries were purchased.
• 1977 - New Curling Club was built.
• 1978 - The first Steer Show and Auction held at the Fair.
• 1979 - Ten acres of land was purchased for parking.
• 1981 - The Norwood Thanksgiving Weekend Fair is now a Class "A" Fair.
• 1986 - The first Old McDonalds Farm for children was added to the Fair.
• 1987 - The Norwood Agricultural Society gets its own constitution.
• 1989 - A new horse barn was built.
• 1990 - The "Future Farmers" beef show was introduced.
• 1993 - Addition of a new horse ring and poultry barn.
• 1996 - Blue Box recycling program instituted at the Fair.
• 1997 - New gates and fencing. 14 acres are purchased from the Cuthbertsons for a new recreation complex.
• 2000 - Portable stage built to house outdoor entertainment. Antique car show moves to high school field.
• 2002 - www.Norwoodfair.com web site is launched. All Agricultural Society buildings are now smoke free. 89 Antique tractors compete in Demonstration Pull.
• 2003 - New $3.9 million complex on land donated by the Agricultural Society.