Bobcaygeon • City of Kawartha Lakes • Kawarthas Northumberland
The Bobcaygeon Fall Fair is one of the oldest agricultural fairs in Ontario, celebrating livestock exhibitions, homecraft competitions, midway attractions, agricultural education, and family-friendly entertainment in the waterfront community of Bobcaygeon. Organized by the Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society, the fair has been welcoming visitors since 1858.
Visitor Information
📍 Location: 47 Mansfield Street, Bobcaygeon, Ontario
🎪 Event Type: Agricultural Fair
👨👩👧👦 Best For: Families, livestock enthusiasts, agricultural exhibits, midway rides, and community entertainment
🗓 2026 Dates: October 1–3, 2026
🌐 Official Website: Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society
Plan Your Visit
⏱ Time Needed: Plan a full day or spend the weekend enjoying agricultural exhibits, competitions, entertainment, and family activities.
🎡 Fair Highlights: Midway rides, livestock shows, homecraft exhibits, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, agricultural education exhibits, live entertainment, parade, and vendor marketplace.
🐄 Agricultural Experiences: Beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses, agricultural education displays, homecraft competitions, and demonstrations celebrating the farming traditions of the Kawarthas.
🎠 Family Activities: Midway, children’s entertainment, petting zoo, educational exhibits, vendor displays, food concessions, and live performances.
📅 Annual Timing: Early October
Celebrating Agriculture in the Kawarthas
The Bobcaygeon Fall Fair has been bringing together farmers, families, and visitors for more than 165 years. Hosted by the Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society, the fair continues to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the City of Kawartha Lakes while providing opportunities for education, competition, and community involvement.
Visitors can explore livestock competitions, agricultural education exhibits, homecraft displays, artisan vendors, and family entertainment while experiencing one of the Kawarthas’ best-loved fall traditions. The fair blends historic agricultural competitions with modern attractions, creating an event that appeals to every generation.
From truck and tractor pulls to horse shows, agricultural demonstrations, midway rides, and live entertainment, the Bobcaygeon Fair continues to celebrate the farming traditions that helped shape the Kawartha Lakes region.
Did You Know?
The first Bobcaygeon Fall Fair was held in 1858, making it one of Ontario’s oldest continuously operating agricultural fairs. Bobcaygeon itself is known as the “Hub of the Kawarthas” and is situated on three islands between Pigeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake along the historic Trent–Severn Waterway.
About the Fair
A Kawartha Lakes Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Homecraft & Community Spirit
The Bobcaygeon Fall Fair, presented by the Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society, is a long-standing rural tradition in the Kawartha Lakes region—bringing together agriculture, homecraft, and community pride each fall. For generations, the fair has served as a gathering place for farm families, neighbours, and visitors, celebrating the skills, creativity, and connections that define life in and around Bobcaygeon.
A Fair Rooted in Farming, Settlement & Rural Exchange
The Bobcaygeon Fall Fair traces its origins to the era when farming communities were being established throughout the Kawartha Lakes. Agricultural societies played a vital role in rural life, offering farmers opportunities to share knowledge, improve livestock and crops, and strengthen social bonds.
Early fairs featured livestock judging, produce displays, baking and preserves, needlework, and practical rural demonstrations, many of which remain core elements of the fair today.
Agriculture at the Heart of the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair
Agriculture continues to anchor the fair, reflected in a wide range of exhibits and competitions, including:
- Cattle and livestock exhibitions
- Poultry, sheep, goats, and small animals
- Garden produce, grains, and field crops
- Rural skills, woodworking, and traditional crafts
These exhibits recognize the dedication of local agricultural families who have shaped the Kawartha Lakes landscape for generations.
Homecraft divisions—baking, preserves, quilting, sewing, knitting, floriculture, photography, art, and junior classes—celebrate creativity, self-reliance, and the domestic traditions of rural life.
Youth Participation & Generational Tradition
Youth involvement has always been a cornerstone of the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair. Through junior divisions, school exhibits, 4-H participation, and educational programming, young people develop:
- Agricultural awareness
- Practical skills and creativity
- Leadership and confidence
- A sense of heritage and responsibility
- Strong community pride
Many families participate year after year, creating a multigenerational tradition that keeps the fair vibrant and relevant.
Powered by Volunteers & Community Pride
The Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society, supported by dedicated volunteers, works year-round to organize and host the fair. From maintaining fairgrounds to coordinating exhibits and competitions, their commitment reflects the strong volunteer culture that defines Bobcaygeon and surrounding rural communities.
A Celebration of Kawartha Lakes Rural Identity
The Bobcaygeon Fall Fair celebrates the values that have long defined the region:
- Agricultural excellence
- Homecraft and creative expression
- Youth engagement
- Volunteer leadership
- Community connection
- Generational continuity
A Tradition That Continues to Thrive
More than just an annual event, the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair remains a cherished celebration—honouring the agricultural heritage, creativity, and community spirit that continue to shape Bobcaygeon and the wider Kawartha Lakes region.
