About the Fair

A Northwestern Ontario Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Homecraft & Rural Community Spirit Since 1912

The Hymers Fall Fair, organized by the Hymers Agricultural Society, is one of the most respected and beloved rural exhibitions in Northwestern Ontario. Established in 1912, this fair remains a powerful symbol of agricultural heritage, community pride, and the resilient spirit of rural families living west of Thunder Bay. For generations, the Hymers Fall Fair has brought together farmers, neighbours, and visitors from across the region to celebrate the enduring values that define country life.

A Fair Rooted in Pioneer Farming Traditions

The inaugural Hymers Fall Fair was held during a time when families were carving out homesteads, establishing small farms, and building community institutions throughout the Slate River Valley. The fair quickly became an annual gathering where local settlers could showcase livestock, crops, homemade goods, and essential rural skills, turning shared hard work into communal pride.

These early exhibitions helped unite a region spread over long distances and rugged terrain, giving farming families a place to connect, compete, learn, and celebrate their growing community.

Agriculture at the Centre of the Fair

Agriculture has always been the heart of the Hymers Fall Fair, with exhibits representing the diversity and resilience of Northwestern Ontario’s rural families. The fair showcases:

• Beef and dairy cattle
• Sheep, goats, poultry, and small livestock
• Field crops, grains, root vegetables, and gardens
• Woodworking, rural crafts, and homesteading skills

These displays highlight the region’s agricultural strength, even in the face of short growing seasons and challenging northern conditions.

The homecraft divisions, including baking, canning, sewing, quilting, knitting, floriculture, handicrafts, and junior categories, remain a beloved part of the fair, honouring the creativity and domestic arts that have shaped rural family life for over a century.

Youth Participation & Generational Pride

Youth involvement is one of the Hymers Fall Fair’s greatest strengths. Through 4-H clubs, junior classes, school projects, and agricultural education initiatives, young people gain:

• Leadership and responsibility
• Practical farm and homecraft skills
• A deeper understanding of rural traditions
• Confidence and creativity
• A meaningful connection to their community heritage

Many local families have participated in the fair for multiple generations, helping preserve its identity and traditions.

Sustained by Volunteers & Regional Community Spirit

The Hymers Agricultural Society and its volunteers are the driving force behind the fair’s endurance. Year after year, they work tirelessly to organize exhibits, prepare the fairgrounds, support participants, and uphold the values set out in the early 1900s. Their commitment reflects the strong community bonds that continue to define Hymers and the surrounding region.

A Celebration of Rural Northwestern Ontario Identity

The fair represents the region’s most enduring qualities:

• Agricultural excellence
• Generational family traditions
• Creative homecraft skills
• Youth engagement
• Volunteer leadership
• Strong rural identity

A Tradition That Endures

Through more than a century of change, the Hymers Fall Fair remains a cherished celebration of agriculture, craftsmanship, and community, honouring the past while inspiring future generations across Northwestern Ontario.

About the Community

Hymers, Ontario: A Quiet Rural Hamlet Surrounded by Fields, Forests & Northwestern Ontario Heritage

Nestled in the scenic Slate River Valley, just southwest of Thunder Bay, Hymers, Ontario is a peaceful rural hamlet known for its farmland, forested hills, strong community bonds, and long-standing agricultural heritage. Though small in size, Hymers stands tall in character, shaped by its hardworking families, natural beauty, and traditions that date back well over a century.

A Hamlet Shaped by Early Farming & Northern Settlement

Hymers traces its origins to early 20th-century families who settled the fertile pockets of land scattered throughout the Slate River region. Drawn by workable farmland and nearby creeks and rivers, settlers established homesteads, barns, and small community hubs that laid the foundations of local rural life.

Over time, Hymers developed into a close-knit settlement, supported by shared work, neighbourly cooperation, and a strong connection to the land.

A Landscape Where Farmland Meets Forest

Hymers is surrounded by classic Northwestern Ontario scenery:

• Productive farmland shaped by generations of rural families
• Forested ridges and rocky outcrops
• Meandering waterways and quiet creeks
• Scenic backroads linking small farms and homesteads
• Broad northern skies and sweeping rural views

The natural setting provides a sense of calm and timelessness that defines the region.

A Community Built on Connection & Shared Traditions

Hymers is known for its friendly, community-first spirit. Local residents support:

• Agricultural societies
• Rural service organizations
• Community halls and heritage groups
• Youth programs and school initiatives
• Seasonal gatherings and traditions

The area’s rural lifestyle and neighbourly care create a warm and welcoming environment for families and visitors alike.

Local Heritage Lives Strong

Hymers maintains deep ties to its roots through:

• Longstanding barns and farmsteads
• Family farms passed through generations
• Community stories and northern folk traditions
• A rural identity built on resilience and resourcefulness

These heritage elements give Hymers its unique charm and enduring community pride.

Agriculture Continues to Shape Local Life

Even today, agriculture plays an important role in the lives of Hymers residents. Local farms contribute to:

• Dairy and beef production
• Hay, grain, and field crops
• Livestock farming and mixed operations
• Homesteading, gardening, and rural craftsmanship

This agricultural foundation is celebrated annually at the Hymers Fall Fair, one of the hamlet’s most beloved traditions.

A Natural Companion to the Hymers Fall Fair

Together, the community and the fair highlight the region’s most treasured qualities:

• Rural heritage
• Volunteer dedication
• Youth involvement
• Generational continuity
• Homecraft creativity
• A strong sense of belonging

A Community Where Rural Spirit, Tradition & Northern Beauty Come Together

Whether exploring the winding country roads, enjoying views over the Slate River Valley, or celebrating timeless traditions like the Hymers Fall Fair, Hymers offers an authentic and memorable Northwestern Ontario experience, rooted in heritage, nature, and true rural community warmth.

🌾 Explore Nearby Agritourism Experiences

Visitors attending the Hymers Fall Fair may also enjoy exploring nearby agritourism experiences and attractions in Thunder Bay District and Northwestern Ontario.

• Thunder Bay Country Market – Thunder Bay – a popular market offering fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, and artisan products
• Centennial Botanical Conservatory – Thunder Bay – a multi-functional facility – a community gathering space that is home to a large variety of flowers, trees, tropical plants and cacti,
• Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park – Kakabeka Falls – a scenic destination featuring one of Ontario’s most impressive waterfalls
• Slate River Valley – Thunder Bay area – a rural farming region known for scenic countryside and local agriculture

Some nearby experiences include links to additional Ontario Agritourism Showcase pages with more visitor information.

Visitors interested in Ontario agricultural fairs may also enjoy exploring events such as the Murillo Fair and the Dryden and District Fair, each celebrating the agricultural traditions and community heritage of Northwestern Ontario.