About the Fair

A Rideau Canal Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Rural Skills & Community Spirit

The Merrickville Fair, organized by the Merrickville Agricultural Society, is one of Eastern Ontario’s longest-standing rural celebrations. Rooted in more than a century of agricultural heritage, the fair continues to honour the farm families, craftspeople, and community traditions that help define Merrickville and its surrounding countryside.

A Fair with Deep Rural Roots

The Merrickville Fair traces its origins to the late 1800s, when agricultural societies across Ontario played a crucial role in supporting rural communities. These fairs served as gathering places where farmers could exhibit livestock, share knowledge, and celebrate the harvest season.

In Merrickville, a growing canal-side community shaped by milling, trade, and farming, an annual fair quickly became a highlight of local life. Early fairs featured livestock shows, produce displays, domestic arts, and friendly competitions that reflected the hard work and craftsmanship of the region’s settlers.

Agriculture at the Centre

Agriculture has always been the foundation of the Merrickville Fair. The fertile farmland surrounding the village supports a mix of traditional, multi-generation farms and newer rural operations. Exhibits typically include:

• Dairy and beef cattle
• Sheep, goats, and small livestock
• Field crops, hay, and garden produce
• Rural crafts and farm-related handiwork

These displays celebrate the dedication and expertise that define farming life throughout the Rideau region.

Homecrafts are an equally important part of the fair, featuring quilting, sewing, preserves, baking, needlework, woodworking, floriculture, photography, and youth exhibits. These entries highlight the creativity and practical skills that have long been central to rural families.

Youth Engagement & Agricultural Learning

Young people are at the heart of the fair’s continuing success. Through junior classes, school projects, 4-H involvement, and practical rural learning, youth develop:

• Leadership skills
• Agricultural literacy
• Creativity and craftsmanship
• Responsibility and confidence
• Pride in community heritage

These traditions help maintain strong connections between generations.

Supported by Volunteers & Community Pride

The Merrickville Agricultural Society and its dedicated volunteers are the driving force behind the fair. Their work, coordinating exhibits, preparing the grounds, preserving records, and encouraging participation, ensures that the fair remains vibrant, relevant, and meaningful.

Many volunteers represent families that have supported the fair for decades, strengthening its deep roots in the community.

A Reflection of Merrickville’s Rural Character

The fair embodies the qualities that define the region:

• Agricultural pride
• Community cooperation
• Creative craftsmanship
• Multi-generation involvement
• Rural resilience

These values help keep the Merrickville Fair one of Eastern Ontario’s most heartfelt celebrations of rural culture.

A Tradition That Endures

Through changing times, the Merrickville Fair remains a cherished link to the past, honouring agriculture, creativity, and the enduring spirit of rural Ontario along the Rideau Corridor.

About the Community

Merrickville, Ontario: A Heritage Village Rich in Craftsmanship, Canal History & Rural Charm

Often called “The Jewel of the Rideau,” Merrickville, Ontario is one of Canada’s most picturesque heritage communities. Located along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Merrickville blends 19th-century architecture, artisan culture, agricultural roots, and a welcoming small-town spirit.

A Village Built on Mills, Canal Commerce & Craftsmanship

Merrickville’s beginnings trace back to the early 1800s, when William Merrick established sawmills and gristmills along the Rideau River. When the Rideau Canal opened in 1832, the community quickly became a bustling centre for trade, milling, boat traffic, and local commerce.

Historic stone buildings, ironwork storefronts, and preserved streetscapes reflect this vibrant past. Many structures from the mid-19th century remain in daily use, making the village feel like a living museum.

A Landscape of Waterways, Farmland & Rural Beauty

Merrickville is surrounded by the scenic elements that define the Rideau region:

• The winding Rideau Canal
• Historic lockstations
• Rolling farmland and pastures
• Wetlands and nature trails
• Heritage mills and riverside views
• Forested backroads and country lanes

The combination of rural landscapes, water, and stone heritage architecture makes Merrickville one of Ontario’s most visually striking communities.

A Village Known for its Artistic & Creative Energy

Merrickville has developed a strong reputation as a centre for arts and crafts. Local makers, artisans, ironworkers, potters, weavers, glassblowers, and woodworkers contribute to a vibrant creative scene.

Galleries, studios, boutiques, and artisan shops line the village core, reflecting Merrickville’s identity as a community that blends tradition with creativity.

A Small Community with Big Heart

Despite its historic charm, the village remains a warm, welcoming place where community spirit is front and centre. Residents support one another through:

• Volunteer groups
• Heritage organizations
• Agricultural societies
• Community programs
• Cultural celebrations

This sense of belonging is one of Merrickville’s most defining qualities.

Agriculture Remains Part of Local Life

Beyond the village centre, family farms and rural properties help maintain the area’s agricultural identity. Local operations range from livestock and crop farms to market gardens and rural homesteads, all of which contribute to the region’s traditions and economy.

This agricultural heritage is celebrated every year at the Merrickville Fair, one of the community’s longest-running traditions.

A Natural Partner to the Merrickville Fair

The fair reflects the village’s strongest qualities:

• Pride in rural roots
• Creative and domestic arts
• Youth engagement
• Volunteer dedication
• Generational continuity
• Community spirit

Together, Merrickville and its fair offer a complete picture of a community that honours its past while embracing creativity and rural life.

A Heritage Village with Lasting Character

Whether strolling along canal pathways, exploring heritage buildings, visiting artisan shops, or celebrating traditions like the Merrickville Fair, the community offers a warm and memorable Ontario experience.

Merrickville is a place where history lives, where craftsmanship thrives, and where rural spirit endures in every season.