About the Fair
A Grey County Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Homecraft & Community Spirit Since 1852
The Owen Sound Fall Fair, proudly presented by the Owen Sound Agricultural Society, has been a cornerstone of Grey County’s rural heritage since 1852. For more than 170 years, the fair has brought together farm families, neighbours, and visitors to celebrate agricultural excellence, homecraft traditions, and community pride in the region’s largest city.
A Fair Rooted in Early Settlement & Community Growth
The Owen Sound Fall Fair began during a period of active settlement along Georgian Bay, when early farmers, tradespeople, and new residents relied on agricultural societies to share knowledge, improve livestock, and build strong community ties. The fair quickly became a major gathering place, reflecting the vitality and aspirations of the growing region.
Early fairs showcased livestock judging, vegetables and field crops, preserves and baking, sewing and quilting, and demonstrations of essential homesteading skills—traditions that continue to shape the fair today.
Agriculture at the Heart of the Owen Sound Fall Fair
Agriculture remains the heartbeat of the fair, represented through a wide range of exhibits and competitions:
- Dairy and beef cattle
- Sheep, goats, poultry, and small livestock
- Field crops, grain, hay, vegetables, and garden produce
- Woodworking, rural crafts, and homesteading demonstrations
These displays honour the commitment and expertise of the farm families who have helped define Grey County’s rural identity for generations.
The homecraft divisions, including preserves, baking, sewing, quilting, knitting, floriculture, photography, arts, and junior categories, reflect the creativity and domestic traditions that enrich community life.
Youth Engagement & Generational Strength
Youth participation has long been essential to the Owen Sound Fall Fair. Through 4-H clubs, school exhibits, junior competitions, and agricultural learning programs, young people gain:
- Leadership and teamwork
- Practical livestock and homecraft skills
- Creativity and confidence
- Agricultural literacy
- A meaningful connection to rural heritage
Generational involvement ensures the fair remains vibrant and relevant year after year.
Powered by Volunteers & Regional Pride
The Owen Sound Agricultural Society, supported by dedicated volunteers throughout Grey County, works tirelessly to organize and promote the fair. Their efforts, planning exhibits, maintaining fairgrounds, supporting participants, and celebrating the region’s heritage—reflect the strong civic pride that unites the community.
A Celebration of Grey County’s Rural Values
The fair proudly showcases the region’s enduring strengths:
- Agricultural excellence
- Creative homecraft traditions
- Youth involvement
- Volunteer leadership
- Community unity
- Generational continuity
A Tradition That Endures
More than a century and a half after its founding, the Owen Sound Fall Fair remains a beloved celebration, honouring the agricultural roots, creativity, and community spirit that continue to enrich Owen Sound and rural Grey County.
About the Community
Owen Sound, Ontario: A Beautiful Georgian Bay City Where Heritage, Culture & Natural Landscapes Come Together
Located at the base of Owen Sound Bay, a scenic inlet of Georgian Bay, Owen Sound is a vibrant community known for its natural beauty, rich history, and cultural vitality. As the urban heart of Grey County, the city blends waterfront charm, rural heritage, and a lively arts scene in a setting framed by escarpment cliffs and forested hills.
A Community Built on Waterways, Industry & Early Settlement
Owen Sound’s origins date to the 1840s, when its protected harbour became an important transportation and trading hub. Lumbering, farming, shipbuilding, and early manufacturing industries helped the community grow into a regional centre.
Historic homes, stone buildings, river bridges, and waterfront landmarks still reflect the city’s industrious beginnings.
A Landscape of Bays, Rivers & Escarpment Beauty
Owen Sound sits amid some of Ontario’s most striking natural scenery, including:
- Owen Sound Bay and the Georgian Bay shoreline
- The Sydenham River flowing through downtown
- Escarpment bluffs, forest trails & waterfalls
- Conservation areas and nature reserves
- Rolling farmland surrounding the city
This blend of water, forest, and rural landscape shapes both the city’s identity and its quality of life.
A Community Known for Culture, Creativity & Local Pride
Owen Sound has a strong cultural heartbeat, supported by:
- Art galleries, live theatre & creative studios
- Music festivals and seasonal events
- Local restaurants, shops & farmers’ markets
- Sports, recreation & community programs
- Volunteer organizations and heritage groups
This spirit of creativity and involvement enriches community life.
Heritage Preserved Through Generations
The city proudly honours its past through:
- Museums and archives
- Historic neighbourhoods and restored buildings
- Stories of Indigenous heritage and early settlement
- Long-standing family traditions across Grey County
These heritage elements connect the present to the region’s layered past.
Agriculture Remains Important to the Region
Surrounding the city is a strong agricultural base that includes:
- Dairy and beef farming
- Cash crops and hay production
- Sheep and mixed livestock farms
- Market gardens and rural artisans
This agricultural tradition is celebrated each year at the Owen Sound Fall Fair, one of the region’s longest-standing rural events.
A Natural Companion to the Owen Sound Fall Fair
Together, Owen Sound and its fair highlight:
- Rural heritage
- Youth involvement
- Creative expression
- Volunteer dedication
- Generational continuity
- Strong community pride
A City Where Culture, Countryside & Waterfront Beauty Flourish
Whether exploring waterfalls, strolling the harbourfront, shopping downtown, or celebrating cherished traditions like the Owen Sound Fall Fair, Owen Sound offers a memorable Georgian Bay experience, where nature, culture, and community spirit come together beautifully.
