About the Fair

A Longstanding Essex County Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Community & Rural Heritage

The Comber Fair, proudly presented by the Comber Agricultural Society, is one of Southwestern Ontario’s most enduring rural traditions. With origins dating back to the late 19th century, the fair remains a cherished celebration of agricultural pride, craftsmanship, and community spirit in the heart of Essex County.

A Fair Rooted in Rural Settlement

The Comber Fair began during a period when agricultural societies were emerging across Ontario to support local farmers and build community ties. Comber, a modest but active crossroads community surrounded by productive farmland, quickly embraced the idea of a rural exhibition.

Early fairs showcased livestock, grains, produce, and homecrafts, giving local families an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, share knowledge, and reinforce the rural values that defined everyday life.

Agriculture at the Heart of the Tradition

For more than a century, agriculture has remained the foundation of the Comber Fair. The region’s rich soils and multi-generation farms have supported a strong tradition of exhibiting:

• Dairy and beef cattle
• Sheep, goats, and poultry
• Field crops and garden produce
• Handmade and practical rural crafts

These displays highlight the skill, dedication, and agricultural knowledge that have shaped Essex County’s farming identity.

The fair’s homecraft divisions, featuring quilting, preserves, sewing, baking, woodworking, floriculture, photography, and youth projects—celebrate rural creativity and craftsmanship, with many entries coming from families who have participated for generations.

Youth Involvement & Rural Learning

Youth have always been central to the Comber Fair’s mission. Through junior classes, school-based projects, and agricultural learning opportunities, young people develop:

• Leadership
• Craftsmanship
• Agricultural literacy
• Hands-on creativity
• Responsibility and confidence

These traditions help foster the next generation of rural leaders and community volunteers.

Supported by Dedicated Volunteers

The Comber Fair thrives thanks to the hard work of the Comber Agricultural Society and its countless volunteers. Their year-round dedication, organizing exhibits, preparing facilities, preserving traditions, and encouraging community participation, ensures the fair continues to play an important role in local life.

Many volunteers reflect multi-generation involvement, underscoring the pride and continuity that define the fair.

A Reflection of Comber’s Rural Spirit

The fair mirrors the values that make Comber unique:

• Agricultural excellence
• Community togetherness
• Rural craftsmanship
• Youth mentorship
• Volunteer-driven leadership

This blend of tradition and community spirit gives the fair its enduring power.

A Tradition That Endures

Though rural life has modernized over time, the Comber Fair remains a meaningful celebration of the community’s roots. It honours the people, families, and traditions that built Essex County and continues to bring residents together through shared pride in their heritage.

About the Community

Comber, Ontario: A Small but Proud Rural Community with Deep Agricultural Roots

Located in the Municipality of Lakeshore in Essex County, Comber, Ontario is a friendly rural community shaped by multi-generation farm families, fertile fields, and a strong local identity. Though modest in size, Comber reflects the best of Southwestern Ontario’s countryside, rich in history, community connections, and agricultural tradition.

A Community Formed at Rural Crossroads

Comber’s origins trace back to the 1800s, when settlers were drawn to the area’s productive farmland and strategic location at the intersection of regional roads. The village soon developed into a service centre for surrounding farms, with early establishments including general stores, mills, blacksmith shops, churches, and agricultural services.

Railway lines later strengthened the community’s role as a shipping and trading point, helping local farmers send livestock and crops to markets across the province.

A Landscape Defined by Fertile Farmland

Comber sits in one of Ontario’s most productive agricultural regions. The surrounding landscape is shaped by:

• Large and small family farms
• Corn, soybean, and wheat fields
• Vegetable operations
• Greenhouses and horticultural farms
• Wide, flat concession roads
• Open rural vistas stretching to the horizon

The area’s rich soils and long growing season have made farming central to both its culture and economy.

A Friendly Community with Strong Connections

Though small, Comber is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of neighbourly support. Residents take pride in their community, often contributing through service clubs, volunteer groups, churches, and local organizations.

Whether in community halls, parks, or rural gathering spaces, Comber maintains the warm, cooperative spirit that defines many Southwestern Ontario hamlets.

A Village Centre with Historic Character

Comber’s village core features:

• Local businesses
• Rural services
• Community spaces
• Long-standing landmarks

These elements preserve the character of a traditional farming village while supporting the needs of modern residents.

Agriculture: The Heart of Local Identity

Agriculture remains the backbone of Comber’s identity. Multi-generation farm families continue to play an essential role in shaping the community and maintaining the traditions that have defined the region for more than a century.

Farming influences daily life, seasonal rhythms, and the community’s sense of pride — and it is celebrated annually at the Comber Fair, one of the area’s most important rural traditions.

A Natural Complement to the Comber Fair

The fair reflects the strongest qualities of Comber:

• Pride in agricultural heritage
• Youth learning and involvement
• Creative homecraft traditions
• Volunteer leadership
• Rural community spirit

Together, the community and its fair offer a complete picture of Comber’s rich rural identity.

A Community Rooted in Tradition

Whether exploring the surrounding farmland, meeting local residents, or celebrating long-standing traditions like the Comber Fair, Comber offers a warm and memorable rural experience.

It is a community where heritage is valued, where agriculture shapes everyday life, and where community spirit shines through in every season.