About the Fair

A London Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Homecraft & Community Spirit Since 1868

The Western Fair, presented by the Western Fair Association, has been one of Ontario’s most significant agricultural exhibitions since its founding in 1868. For more than 150 years, the fair has brought together rural and urban communities across Southwestern Ontario to celebrate agriculture, innovation, homecraft excellence, and the strong community spirit that defines the London region.

A Fair Rooted in Early Settlement, Agriculture & Regional Growth

The Western Fair began during a period of rapid development in London, when new farms, mills, rail lines, and businesses were helping the city and surrounding communities grow. Agricultural societies played a pivotal role in strengthening rural life, supporting better livestock, crop improvement, and knowledge-sharing between communities.

From its earliest days, the Western Fair featured livestock judging, field crop competitions, baking and preserves, needlework, handicrafts, and demonstrations of essential rural skills, traditions that continue to form the fair’s agricultural foundation today.

Agriculture at the Heart of the Western Fair

Despite its size and evolution, agriculture remains the cornerstone of the Western Fair. Exhibits and competitions proudly highlight:

• Dairy and beef cattle
• Horses, sheep, goats, poultry, and small livestock
• Field crops, grain, hay, vegetables, and horticulture
• Rural crafts, woodworking, and homesteading demonstrations
• Youth agriculture programs and 4-H showcases

These displays honour generations of farm families who continue to strengthen rural Southwestern Ontario.

The homecraft divisions, including preserves, baking, sewing, quilting, knitting, floriculture, photography, arts, and junior categories, shine a spotlight on the creativity and craftsmanship that enrich community life.

Youth Engagement & Generational Strength

For decades, youth involvement has been one of the Western Fair’s greatest strengths. Through 4-H, junior exhibitors, school projects, ag-ri-education programs, and rural skills demonstrations, young people develop:

• Leadership
• Practical agricultural skills
• Creativity and teamwork
• Confidence and curiosity
• A meaningful connection to Ontario’s agricultural heritage

This generational participation helps ensure the fair’s agricultural mission remains strong.

Volunteers, Community Leaders & Regional Commitment

The Western Fair Association, along with hundreds of dedicated volunteers and agricultural partners, works year-round to maintain the fair’s reputation for excellence. Their commitment, curating exhibits, organizing competitions, supporting participants, maintaining facilities, and promoting agricultural literacy, reflects deep community pride.

A Celebration of Southwestern Ontario’s Rural Heritage

The Western Fair showcases the region’s most enduring values:

• Agricultural excellence
• Creative homecraft traditions
• Youth leadership
• Volunteer dedication
• Innovation in farming and food production
• Community unity

A Tradition That Endures

More than a century and a half after its founding, the Western Fair remains a beloved celebration, honouring agricultural heritage, creativity, and the shared spirit of rural and urban communities across Southwestern Ontario.

About the Community

London, Ontario: A Vibrant City Where Heritage, Culture & Agricultural Roots Come Together

Located between Lakes Erie and Huron along the Thames River, London is one of Southwestern Ontario’s most dynamic urban centres, blending a thriving cultural scene with deep agricultural roots. Known for its parks, festivals, historic neighbourhoods, and strong community identity, London remains a city where innovation, heritage, and local pride intersect.

A Community Built on Rivers, Mills & Early Settlement

London’s history stretches back to the early 1800s, when the Thames River supported mills, trade routes, and early settlement. By the mid-19th century, London had become a bustling commercial and cultural hub for surrounding farms and smaller communities.

Historic architecture, preserved streetscapes, and vibrant neighbourhoods still reflect the city’s rich past.

A Landscape of Parks, Trails & Thames River Beauty

London is known as the “Forest City” for good reason. Its natural surroundings include:

• The winding Thames River and its scenic pathways
• Extensive parkland and wooded areas
• Conservation lands and nature trails
• Lush urban greenspaces across the city
• Picturesque rural countryside just minutes from downtown

This landscape helps give London its relaxing, inviting character.

A City Defined by Culture, Community & Innovation

Londoners are highly engaged in community life and proudly support:

• Festivals, events & performance arts
• Local shops, eateries & artisan markets
• Cultural programs, museums & galleries
• Sports, recreation & educational institutions
• Agricultural organizations and rural partners

The city’s energy is shaped by creativity, collaboration, and a strong local spirit.

Heritage Preserved Through Generations

London honours its history through:

• Museums and historic sites
• Restored heritage homes and districts
• Long-standing family businesses
• Agricultural exhibitions and rural traditions
• Archives, libraries, and community heritage projects

These elements preserve the city’s story while inspiring its future.

Agriculture Remains Vital to the Region

Outside London’s urban core is some of the most productive farmland in Southwestern Ontario:

• Dairy, pork & beef producers
• Cash crops including corn, soybeans & wheat
• Market gardens & rural producers
• Greenhouses, specialty farms & agrifood innovators

This deep rural connection is proudly celebrated each year at the Western Fair, London’s longest-standing community tradition.

A Natural Companion to the Western Fair

Together, London and its historic fair highlight:

• Agricultural heritage
• Youth involvement
• Homecraft excellence
• Volunteer leadership
• Urban-rural connection
• Strong community pride

A Community Where Urban Energy & Agricultural Roots Flourish

Whether exploring riverfront trails, enjoying cultural festivals, supporting local growers, or celebrating beloved traditions like the Western Fair, London offers a memorable Southwestern Ontario experience, where heritage, innovation, and community spirit thrive together.