WANTED: 1860s-Style Fall Fair Entries - Start Preparing Today!

Upper Canada Village will be presenting its annual Fall Fair Weekend on September 19 & 20, and wants to engage the public in the event by inviting them to submit their own entries for judgment and viewing in the events’ annual exhibition tent. The fun and challenge will be to meet certain “19th century” guidelines that have been set out to maintain the 1860s flavour of the event ...

Every September Upper Canada Village hosts a traditional Fall Fair which includes an exhibition of the “best of the best” in 19th century agricultural products, livestock, garden-grown vegetables, crafts, cooking, handiwork and more. While most of the entries are the result of work accomplished over the summer by Village staff on site, members of the public are invited to submit their own entries to see how they measure up against “the experts”. As with a modern fair, participants must follow specific guidelines, in this case based on rules and regulations from the 1860s. The vegetable class, however, has been expanded and people can enter either heirloom or contemporary varieties which will be judged separately.

Among the many possible items to enter are maple syrup, watercolour or ink paintings, honey, fine quilting, homespun yarn, apple pie, pickles, fancy knitting, collection of flowers and lots more. Complete details on how and what to enter can be obtained by downloading the Village’s 2009 Fall Fair Guidelines.

Horticultural enthusiasts who picked up heirloom seed potatoes at the Village’s Plant Sale in May are encouraged to enter the best examples of their crop in the Fair.

Those who need a helping hand may want to consult the internet or local libraries for 19th century recipes. Traditional patterns for an 1860s crocheted mat, a knitted stocking and a mitten are available here.

All Fall Fair activities will be held on September 19 and 20, with the judging taking place on September 16 and the exhibit tent opening for viewing starting September 17. This heritage event reflects the St. Lawrence Parks Commission's continuing efforts to celebrate Canadian heritage as it strives to engage, enrich, entertain, and educate visitors. Heritage events are an excellent way for guests to be immersed into life of a bygone time and are popular with a wide range of tourists and residents alike.

If you have any questions about Upper Canada Village’s Fall Fair and how you can enter, please contact Gabriele Thomas, Senior Supervisor, at gabriele.thomas@parks.on.ca