About the Fair

A Highlands East Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Rural Skills & Community Spirit

The Wilberforce Agricultural Fair, presented by the Wilberforce Agricultural Society, is one of the most beloved rural traditions in the Haliburton Highlands. With roots extending back well over a century, the fair celebrates the agricultural heritage, creative talents, and strong community bonds that define Wilberforce and the surrounding Highlands East region.

A Fair Rooted in Pioneer Heritage

Like many rural Ontario fairs, the Wilberforce Fair emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when agricultural societies played a vital role in supporting remote farming communities. These societies offered farmers a place to compare livestock and crops, share new techniques, and strengthen connections across sparsely populated regions.

In the early days, the fair was a major gathering event for farm families. Livestock judging, produce competitions, homecrafts, and demonstrations of rural skills helped sustain agricultural knowledge in a rugged, forested landscape.

Agriculture at the Fair’s Core

Although the Haliburton Highlands are better known today for forests, lakes, and cottages, agriculture has long been an important, if challenging, part of local life. The fair proudly honours this heritage through exhibits featuring:

• Dairy and beef cattle
• Sheep, goats, poultry, and small livestock
• Garden produce, root vegetables, and field crops
• Rural crafts, woodworking, and traditional handiwork

These displays highlight the perseverance and ingenuity required to farm in the Highlands’ rocky terrain and cool climate.

Homecraft exhibits remain a cornerstone of the fair, showcasing quilting, sewing, preserves, baking, floriculture, photography, and junior entries, all reflecting the creativity and practical skills essential to rural living.

Youth Engagement & Generational Pride

Young people play a vital role in the fair’s continuity. Through junior categories, school projects, and 4-H involvement, youth gain:

• Leadership
• Agricultural literacy
• Creative and hands-on skills
• Responsibility and pride in community heritage

Many families have participated in the fair across several generations, reinforcing its deep, local roots.

A Fair Sustained by Volunteers

The Wilberforce Agricultural Society and its volunteers form the backbone of the fair. Their year-long dedication, planning exhibits, preparing fairgrounds, preserving traditions, and encouraging community involvement, ensures the fair remains vibrant and meaningful.

Their efforts reflect the strong community ties that define Wilberforce.

A Reflection of Highlands East Culture

The fair embodies the values that shape the community:

• Agricultural pride
• Resilience and rural determination
• Creative craftsmanship
• Volunteer leadership
• Youth engagement
• Strong multigenerational traditions

These qualities help sustain the Wilberforce Fair as one of the region’s most important cultural celebrations.

A Tradition That Endures

Through change and growth, the Wilberforce Fair remains a cherished expression of rural life, community pride, and agricultural heritage, connecting today’s families with the traditions of the past.

About the Community

Wilberforce, Ontario: A Scenic Highlands East Community Rooted in Heritage, Resourcefulness & Rural Warmth

Located in the Haliburton Highlands, the village of Wilberforce, Ontario is a friendly and close-knit community known for its natural beauty, rural heritage, and enduring spirit. Surrounded by forests, lakes, and rugged landscapes, Wilberforce offers an authentic northern-Ontario small-village experience shaped by history, resourcefulness, and neighbourly pride.

A Community with Deep Logging & Farming Roots

Wilberforce traces its origins to the late 1800s, when logging operations, small settlements, and early farming efforts began to shape the region. The dense forests and rolling terrain offered timber resources, while pockets of arable land supported homesteads, livestock, and subsistence farming.

Railway connections later strengthened the village’s role as a service hub for surrounding rural families. Though the logging economy has changed over time, the community’s self-sufficient character and rural spirit remain strong.

A Landscape of Lakes, Forests & Highlands Terrain

Wilberforce is surrounded by the iconic scenery of the Haliburton Highlands, including:

• Dense forests and rocky shield outcrops
• Sparkling lakes and wetlands
• Quiet rural roads and scenic trails
• Rolling hills and rugged terrain
• Abundant wildlife and natural spaces

The changing seasons, bright summers, colourful autumns, crisp winters, and gentle springs, give the community a striking northern charm.

A Friendly Village with Strong Community Bonds

Wilberforce is known for its welcoming spirit and deep sense of neighbourliness. Residents support one another through community halls, volunteer groups, churches, clubs, and local initiatives that strengthen social ties.

Despite its small size, Wilberforce has a lively community identity, driven by the dedication of volunteers, service groups, and multi-generation families who take pride in local traditions.

A Village Shaped by Resourcefulness

Life in the Highlands has always required creativity and resilience. Wilberforce reflects this through:

• Local craftsmanship
• Rural businesses
• Community volunteerism
• Strong do-it-yourself culture
• Traditions centred around self-sufficiency

This practical spirit gives the village its distinctive character.

Agriculture as a Continuing Thread

While agriculture in the region is modest compared to larger farming areas, small farms, hobby operations, and rural homesteads remain part of the local landscape. These farms contribute to:

• Livestock production
• Hay and forage crops
• Garden and homestead agriculture
• Rural craftsmanship and food traditions

This agricultural heritage is proudly honoured each year at the Wilberforce Fair, a key cultural touchstone for the community.

A Natural Partner to the Wilberforce Fair

The fair highlights the community’s strongest qualities:

• Rural heritage
• Volunteer dedication
• Youth involvement
• Creative homecraft traditions
• Multigenerational continuity
• Community togetherness

Together, the fair and the village showcase the enduring spirit of Highlands East.

A Highlands Community with Heart

Whether exploring scenic backroads, enjoying the beauty of surrounding lakes and forests, connecting with local residents, or celebrating longstanding traditions like the Wilberforce Fair, Wilberforce offers a warm and memorable Ontario experience.

It is a community where heritage is honoured, where resourcefulness is valued, and where community spirit thrives year-round.