About the Fair

A Proud Selwyn Township Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Heritage & Community Spirit

The Lakefield Fair, organized by the Lakefield Agricultural Society, is one of the longest-running rural traditions in Peterborough County. For generations, the fair has showcased the agricultural roots, community values, and creative spirit that define Lakefield and the surrounding region. Though the village is known today for its lakeside beauty and vibrant cultural life, the fair remains a vital reminder of its deep farming heritage.

A Fair with Roots in the 19th Century

The origins of the Lakefield Fair reach back to the late 1800s, when rural communities across Ontario were establishing agricultural societies to support local farmers and share knowledge. Lakefield, already an important milling, farming, and transportation centre, was a natural gathering place for such an event.

Early fairs focused on livestock competitions, displays of grain and produce, demonstrations of new farming practices, and exhibitions of domestic arts. These were practical, hands-on gatherings that strengthened the agricultural community and celebrated local achievement.

A Showcase of Rural Skill & Creativity

Agriculture remains at the core of the Lakefield Fair. Livestock exhibits featuring cattle, sheep, poultry, and other farm animals have long reflected the dedication and pride of local farm families. These displays represent generations of knowledge and care, passed down through the rhythms of rural life.

Homecraft and domestic arts also play a major role. Quilts, preserves, baking, sewing, photography, woodworking, gardening, and youth projects all highlight the creativity and craftsmanship that define the region. Many families participate year after year, continuing traditions that stretch back decades.

Youth Involvement at the Heart of the Fair

The Lakefield Fair has always placed strong emphasis on youth programming. Through 4-H clubs, junior agricultural classes, and children’s exhibitions, young people learn about:

• Animal care
• Craftsmanship
• Food preparation
• Agricultural literacy
• Responsibility and leadership

For many youth, the fair is their introduction to showing animals, preparing exhibits, and participating in community traditions that connect them to their region’s heritage.

Powered by Dedicated Volunteers

The fair thrives thanks to the commitment of the Lakefield Agricultural Society and its dedicated volunteers. Their efforts, before, during, and after each fair, ensure that traditions are preserved, exhibits are well presented, and the fair remains a source of community pride.

Many volunteers have multi-generation ties to the fair, representing families that have supported these agricultural traditions for decades. Their ongoing dedication is the backbone of the fair’s continued success.

A Reflection of Lakefield’s Heritage

Lakefield’s identity is shaped by its scenic waterways, its small-town charm, and its rural roots. The fair reflects all of these qualities with its focus on:

• Agricultural heritage
• Youth involvement
• Community cooperation
• Rural craftsmanship
• Pride in local traditions

Through these values, the fair continues to honour the people, history, and landscapes that give Lakefield its distinct character.

A Tradition That Connects Past & Present

Even as Lakefield has grown into a popular recreational and cultural destination, the fair remains a living link to its agricultural beginnings. It brings together residents from across Selwyn Township, strengthens community ties, and celebrates the traditions that helped build the region.

The Lakefield Fair stands proudly as a testament to community spirit, rural heritage, and the dedication of the families and volunteers who continue to keep its traditions alive.

About the Community

Lakefield, Ontario: A Scenic Village Rich in History, Waterways & Small-Town Charm

Situated along the banks of the Otonabee River and surrounded by the sparkling lakes of the Kawarthas, Lakefield, Ontario is a picturesque village known for its natural beauty, heritage architecture, vibrant downtown, and friendly community atmosphere. Elegant yet relaxed, Lakefield offers the perfect blend of rural charm and lakeside living.

A Village Built on Water, Travel & Settlement

Lakefield’s story begins in the mid-1800s, when settlers established mills, farms, and small industries along the rushing waters between Katchewanooka Lake and the Otonabee River. The village soon became an important stop along early canoe routes, steamboat lines, and later the Trent–Severn Waterway.

These waterways shaped Lakefield’s identity, bringing travellers, trade, and early tourism to the region. Many heritage homes, Victorian buildings, and old storefronts still reflect the village’s early prosperity and character.

A Lakeside Setting Full of Natural Beauty

Lakefield is surrounded by iconic Kawartha landscapes:

• Blue, island-dotted lakes
• Quiet country roads
• Lush forests and wetlands
• Wildlife-rich riverbanks
• The scenic Lakefield Trail system
• Canoe-friendly water routes

With its waterfront parks, lockstation views, and peaceful green spaces, the village feels like a postcard come to life. Boating, paddling, fishing, hiking, and photography are part of everyday life here.

A Lively & Welcoming Village Centre

Lakefield’s downtown is one of its greatest charms. Historic buildings line Queen Street, home to:

• Boutique shops
• Bookstores
• Cafés and bakeries
• Art galleries
• Restaurants and patios
• Seasonal markets and cultural events

The village manages to feel both quaint and lively, offering a warm welcome to visitors and residents alike.

A Community That Values Heritage & Tradition

Lakefield is known for its strong sense of identity and for celebrating its history with pride. Local landmarks, including the Lakefield Literary Festival sites, historic churches, early mills, and heritage homes, tell stories of writers, settlers, educators, and pioneers who shaped the village.

Community groups, volunteers, and clubs play a major role in maintaining Lakefield’s charm. Events, gatherings, beautification projects, and seasonal celebrations help keep the village engaged and connected throughout the year.

Rural Roots Surrounding the Village

While Lakefield is widely recognized as a lakeside community, its surrounding countryside is deeply agricultural. Family farms, mixed agriculture, and rural homesteads add to the region’s character. This agricultural heritage is proudly showcased in the long-running Lakefield Fair, one of the clearest expressions of the community’s rural roots.

A Perfect Match for the Lakefield Fair

The values reflected in the fair, heritage, craftsmanship, youth involvement, and community pride, mirror those that define the village itself. Together, the fair and the community tell a complete story of Lakefield’s past and present, celebrating both its rural roots and its welcoming, modern village atmosphere.

A Place Worth Returning To

Whether you’re watching boats pass through the lock, browsing the shops downtown, exploring nature trails, or taking in the history of the area, Lakefield offers a peaceful, charming, and memorable experience.

It’s a village where water meets heritage, where rural meets refined, and where community spirit thrives year after year.