Guide to fall fairs and festivals around Hamilton
It's more than sights and sounds that call us to the fall fair.
Step back into simpler times of ribbons won, candy apple treats and giant pumpkins.
Ontario fall fairs are supported by local farmers, agricultural societies and whether you are country or city, the fair brings awareness of community and tradition.
Here are 18 fall fairs or festivals around Hamilton that are back in full force in 2022 after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
Aug. 18
Dundas Cactus Festival Parade
They call it Cactus Thursday. Launching the weekend festival is the Dundas Cactus Festival Parade. The parade starts at Dundas Driving Park at 6:45 p.m. sharp and makes its way along King Street through the downtown core of Dundas. dundascactusparade.com
Aug. 19 to 21
Dundas Cactus Festival
This tradition of late summer is back in full swing in Dundas valley. The 47th Dundas Cactus Festival includes a midway, vendors, patios, entertainment, baby contest, teddy bear picnic and much more. Hours are Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. dundascactusfest.ca
Aug. 19 to Sept. 5
The EX
Bright lights, big city but getting down to our roots. The Canadian National Exhibition held at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Go for the food, shows, displays, concerts and carnival rides. The grounds are open from 10 a.m. to midnight, except on Labour Day. On Labour Day (Sept. 5) the grounds are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the gates close at 5 p.m. theex.com
Aug. 26 to 28
Winona Peach Festival
Home of the famous peach Sunday! The Winona Peach Festival includes midway, arts and crafts, children's fun factory, pageant, parades, car show and more. Admission to the festival and its live entertainment are free. Pre-Festival discount midway tickets is $40 for 35 tickets, available at Winona Gardens, 1381 Highway 8, until Aug. 25. Festival hours are Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can find the festival at 1328 Barton St., Winona, just west of 50 Road. You will also want to make note of the free HSR shuttle express between Eastgate Square and the festival. winonapeach.com
Sept. 1 to 5
Paris Fair
One of the largest five-day fairs in Ontario, the Paris Fair is held over the Labour Day weekend. Since 1858, the Paris Fair strives to bring entertainment and agricultural education to the community. You get a full fall fair experience with food, demolition derby, baby and pet contests, live entertainment, midway, exhibits, agricultural events, cow milking shows, and much more.
Tickets start at $15 with add-ons and upgrades available when you purchase online. Free parking on the grounds with your admission. A sheet of 20 midway tickets starts at $15. The fair opens Thursday at 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 9 a.m. The fairgrounds are at 139 Silver St., Paris. parisfairgrounds.com
Sept. 8 to 11
Cambridge Fall Fair
For more than 180 years the Cambridge Fall Fair has celebrated local culture and heritage. Enjoy eclectic mix of nostalgic flair and modern entertainment including carnival rides and games, vendors, food, 4-H, shows, contests, live music, demo derbies and much more. The fair is in Dickson Park, 30 Parkhill Rd. W., Cambridge. The gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free on Thursday and Sunday, $10 per for adults on Friday and Saturday. Children's pricing required proof of age. thefallfair.ca
Sept. 9 to 11
Niagara West Fair
Three days of family friendly entertainment, great food, and displays and thrilling demonstrations at the West Niagara Agricultural Centre & Fairgrounds located in Grassy, halfway between Grimsby and Smithville, at 7402 Mud St. W. The annual fall fair features two demolition derbies with one Friday evening and the second on Sunday afternoon. Fairgoers can get a weekend pass for carnival rides for $30 in advance online or $35 at the fair. westniagarafair.ca
- It's not part of the fair but make note of the RCMP Musical Ride happening at the fairgrounds on Sept. 15 with gates opening at 5 p.m. for the show at 7. Food vendors and pre-show.
Sept. 9 to 11
The Six Nations Fall Fair and Powwow
The Six Nations Fall Fair and Powwow includes agricultural exhibits, grandstand show, powwow and more. The Ohsweken Fair Grounds are at 1738 Fourth Line, Ohsweken. Kids' day is Friday. snfallfair.com
Sept. 9 to 11
The Georgetown Fall Fair
Celebrate the culture of the fall fair at the 175th Georgetown Agricultural Society Fall Fair. Horse shows, 4-H shows, dairy cattle, arts and crafts, culinary arts, pet show, tractor pulls, rides, demolition derby, midway and much more. Featured live entertainment includes Practically Hip, Dufferin County Line, and Larry Melton Band. Admission is $15. The fair is open 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Georgetown fairgrounds are north of Highway 11, at 1 Park Ave., Georgetown. georgetownfallfair.ca
Sept. 16 to 18
Fergus Fall Fair
The 185th Fergus Fall Fair hosted by the Fergus Agricultural Society, is heralded as the 10th oldest fair in Ontario. Agriculture is still the focus of the fair, which has grown to include truck and tractor pulls, handicraft and food exhibits, a midway, entertainment and much more. Fair hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A weekend pass is $30 with daytime entry $10 and evening entry $15 for adults. The fairgrounds are at Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, 550 Belsyde Ave. Fergus. fergusfallfair.ca
Sept. 16 to 18
Binbrook Fall Fair
The demolition derby runs Friday at 7 p.m. The 169th Binbrook Fall Fair also includes a parade, midway, entertainment, baby show, horse pulls, exhibits and more. Fair hours are Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $15 on Friday and Saturday, $10 on Sunday for family and agriculture day. Children are free but tickets are required. Parking is free at the fairgrounds located at 2600 Regional Rd. 56, Binbrook but walk-ins are encouraged. binbrookagriculturalsociety.org
Sept. 17 and 18
St. George Apple Festival
A celebration of every teacher's favourite treat is a St. George's tradition. The apple festival includes bake sales - can you say apple pie - and showcases over 120 vendors, local farmers, street dance, local artisans, and unique shops on Main Street. St. George is located on Highway 5, west of Flamborough. stgeorgeapplefest.com
Sept. 22 to 25
Ancaster Fair
It's been 172 years and the Ancaster Fair continues to bring the country to the city. Demolition derby, baby show, entertainers and live music, vendors, livestock, midway, crafts and more. The fair expects to be back in full swing for 2022. Admission to the fair is $35 for an adult weekend pass, tickets for the midway are separate. The gates open Thursday at 5 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. The fairgrounds are located at 630 Trinity Rd., Jerseyville. ancasterfair.ca
Sept. 22 to 24
Wainfleet Fall Fair
Pumpkin carving, midway, cattle show, pet show, demolition derby, food booths and all the trimmings are yours to enjoy at the 55th Wainfleet Fall Fair. This year's theme is Mighty Farm Machines" for a mighty community. Admission rates vary. The fairgrounds are located on Highway 3, at 31943 Park St., Wainfleet. wainfleetfallfair.com
Sept. 23 to 25
The Milton Fair
Milton Fall Fair has run almost every year since 1864. Time honoured traditions abound at the fair which features three demolition derbies, agricultural awareness tent, livestock display barn, petting zoo, midway, vendors and more. Milton's fairgrounds are at 136 Robert St. miltonfair.com
Sept. 29 to Oct. 2
Caledonia Fair
It's the 150th celebration of local foods and agriculture at this year's Caledonia Fair. Don't miss the Battle of the Buttertart, meet your local farmers, midway, demolition derby, homecraft, livestock shows and more are happening at the fair. General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for elementary school age children. A weekend pass is $30. Limited parking on the grounds is $3. Gates are open from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The fairgrounds are on Highway 54 in Caledonia. caledoniafair.ca
Oct. 4 to 10
Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show
Grandstand entertainment, agricultural displays, craft exhibits, food vendors, art demonstrations, talent shows and a lot more added attractions are features of the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, a seven-day event leading into the Thanksgiving weekend. General admission is $13 for adults from Tuesday to Thursday, $15 for adults Friday to Monday, $8 for youth six to 13, free for children five and under. Parking is $8 or $30 for a 7-day parking pass. The fairgrounds open at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 172 South Dr., Simcoe. norfolkcountyfair.com
Oct. 7 to 10
Rockton World's Fair
The Rockton Agricultural Society once again welcomes the world to the Rockton World's Fair, a Thanksgiving tradition since 1852. This four-day celebration combines demolition derbies, midway, 4-H, horse shows, chuckwagon competition, pie eating contest, standup comedy, helicopter rides and much more. The dairy show runs Friday at 11 a.m. and the demolition derbies are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
Fair hours are Friday from 4 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find the World's Fair in Rockton at 812 Old Highway 8, Rockton. rocktonworldsfair.com
Oct. 8 to 10
Burford Fall Fair
It's got all the bells and whistles with demolition derbies, kids pedal pull, horse show, monster trucks, antique car show and more. It's not as big as some other holiday weekend fairs but all the charm. Admission is cash only, adults $10, youth (6-13 years old) $5. Gate hours are 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. The fairgrounds are located at 6 Park Ave., Burford. burfordfair.ca
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com