- Markham Fair
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Markham Fair 
These junior exhibitors are being judged for their handling abilitiesDate(s) October Location(s) Markham, Ontario Years active 166 Genre fall fair Markham Fair is one of Canada's oldest country fairs, an annual event established in 1844 and hosted by the Markham, Ontario 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 occurs annually on the weekend before Canadian Thanksgiving, and hosts upwards of 80,000 attendees. 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.
Originally, agricultural societies would 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 create the forum known as the fall fair, providing 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 pull, demolition derby, tractor pull, midway rides and displays of farm animals.
The fairgrounds are located in northern Markham at McCowan Road and Elgin Mills Road, but it was first held at the site of the Markham Village Library at southeast corner of Markham Road and Highway 7.
External links
References
- ^ 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," Markham Fair official website.
Topics on Markham, OntarioMain topicsFounder • Government • History • Mayor • Previous Mayors • York Region (portal) • Markham municipal election, 2010 • Markham Ward 3 By-election, 2009 • Markham municipal election, 2006
TransportationCommunitiesAngus Glen • Armadale • Berczy Village • Box Grove • Buttonville • Cachet • Cashel • Cedar Grove • Cornell • Dickson Hill • Downtown Markham • Gormley • Greensborough • Legacy • Locust Hill • Old Markham Village • Markham Centre • Milliken • Mongolia • Quantztown • Unionville • Thornhill • Underwood • Vinegar Hill • Wismer Common
Education / SchoolsElementary: All Saints • Armadale • Ashton Meadows • Boxwood Public School • Castlemore • Central Park • Boxwood • San Lorenzo Ruiz • William Berczy
Secondary: Brother André • McGivney • Markham District • Markville • Middlefield • Milliken Mills • St. Augustine • St. Robert • Thornhill • Thornlea • Trudeau • Unionville
Post Secondary: Seneca College: Buttonville Airport Campus, Markham CampusAthletics, Recreation, and ShoppingAthletics: Markham Waxers • Sports
Recreation: Angus Glen Golf Club • Cedar Brae Golf & Country Club • Parks
Shopping: Markville Mall • Pacific Mall • Market VillageAttractionsMain Street Unionville • Main Street Markham • Markham Fair • Markham Museum • Markham Train Station • Thornhill Village • Varley Art Gallery
Media, and ServicesNotable PeopleBill Crothers • Brad May • Sean Morley • Ken Pereira • Tammy Sutton-Brown • Steve Thomas • Raffi Torres • Stephen Weiss • Steve Byers • Emmanuelle Chriqui • Hayden Christensen • Talan Torriero • Justin Peroff
Sister CitiesCary, North Carolina • Nördlingen, Germany • Pearland, Texas • Wuhan, China
Categories:- Annual fairs
- 1844 establishments in Canada
- Markham, Ontario
- Fairs in Canada
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