Why You Should Attend the 2026 OAAS Convention

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February 19–21, 2026 • Toronto

If Ontario’s agricultural fairs are the heartbeat of our rural communities, then the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Convention is where that heartbeat gets recharged every year.

Part learning, part networking, part celebration, and part good old-fashioned fair fun, the OAAS Convention is where Ontario’s fair family gathers to connect, share ideas, and get ready for another exciting fair season.

If you’ve never attended, or if it’s been a while, 2026 is the year you won’t want to miss. Here’s why.

1. It’s the Big Fair Family Reunion

There is nothing quite like the OAAS Convention atmosphere.
Imagine hundreds of fair enthusiasts from across Ontario:

• Fair board members
• Volunteers
• Homecraft organizers
• Ambassadors
• Entertainers & suppliers
• Livestock and Homecraft judges
• Long-time fair families
• And new volunteers eager to learn

The energy is friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic—and a whole lot of fun.
Everyone understands what it means to run a fair, rain or shine.

2. Fresh, Practical Ideas You Can Use Right Away

The 2026 convention offers a full lineup of workshops, seminars, and hands-on sessions. You’ll learn about:

• Growing fair attendance
• Creative agricultural education
• Strengthening Homecraft
• Social media and marketing
• Volunteer recruitment and retention
• Youth engagement
• Youth Ambassadors (a place to step and shine for our future)
• Safety & governance
• Entertainment ideas
• And more

You’ll leave with pages of notes and new strategies to bring home.

3. The Trade Show Has Everything You Never Knew You Needed

From carnival rides and entertainers to software platforms, ag-education tools, bleachers, fencing, games, signage, sound gear, insurance, digital promotion, and more, the OAAS Trade Show is the one place where you can explore all your options in one afternoon.

It’s efficient, interesting, and packed with inspiration.

4. Two Major OAAS Programs Will Be Front and Centre

OAAS is deeply committed to strengthening fairs and the communities behind them. At the 2026 Convention, two major initiatives will take center stage.

🌱 The “Building Community Leaders” Program

Already in progress, this program focuses on developing strong leadership within Ontario’s agricultural societies.

It helps fairs:

• Build confident, skilled boards
• Improve governance and planning
• Engage and train volunteers
• Prepare the next generation of fair leaders
• Strengthen communication and teamwork

You’ll have the chance to learn about the newest modules, success stories, and ways your fair can access leadership development tools.

This program alone is worth attending for.

⭐ “You Make THE Difference” — National Initiative

This newly announced initiative will be a major highlight of the 2026 Convention.

It celebrates the people who make fairs possible:

• Volunteers
• Youth leaders
• Exhibitors
• Community supporters
• Behind-the-scenes helpers
• Board members who give countless hours

This isn’t just recognition, it’s a national movement that shines a spotlight on the dedication, passion, and heart behind every fair in Canada.

By attending the convention, you’ll learn how your fair can participate, celebrate your own volunteers, and elevate your fair’s profile.

5. You’ll See New Trends in the Fair World

Ontario fairs are evolving, and the convention is the best place to see what’s new:

• Modern approaches to agriculture education
• Fresh Homecraft ideas
• Fun youth-friendly exhibits
• Improved accessibility practices
• New vendor and entertainment trends
• Innovative community partnerships

If you want your fair to grow, adapt, and shine, this is where you’ll find your inspiration.

6. The OAAS Awards Will Motivate and Inspire You

Watching fairs from all over Ontario recognized for their creativity, their community involvement, and their achievements is incredibly uplifting.

You’ll go home thinking:

• “We should try that idea!”
• “Let’s nominate our volunteers next year!”
• “Our fair could do this!”

The awards remind everyone just how meaningful Ontario’s fairs truly are.

7. It’s Fun — Really Fun

Yes, you’ll learn a lot.
Yes, you’ll plan a lot.
But you’ll also:

• Meet new people
• Trade stories
• Enjoy entertainment
• Relax at hospitality nights
• Laugh, a lot
• Feel part of something big

The fair world is full of friendly, passionate people.
At the OAAS Convention, you get to celebrate that community spirit.

8. You Return Home Energized

There’s something indescribable that happens at the OAAS Convention.

You arrive curious…
and leave inspired, motivated, and full of new excitement for your fair.

Your board will talk about new ideas all the way home.
Your volunteers will feel appreciated and energized.
Your community will see your renewed passion.

This is the spark many fairs rely on each year.

9. We’ll Be There — And We’d Love to See You

We at Ontario Visited will be at the 2026 OAAS Convention with:

• Our Trade Booth
• Our cameras
• Our Visitor Experience and Feature Article program
• Ontario Fair News
• Showcase interview information
• Our expanding Ontario Agritourism initiatives

About Ontario Agritourism (OAT)

OAT is a province-wide collaboration platform designed to connect agricultural organizations, family farms, rural attractions, destinations, and visitors seeking authentic Ontario experiences. It supports the organizations (OAAS) through free event listings, news posts, along with low-cost programs using feature Showcase stories, videos, interviews, and shared promotional digital programs.

Open the Gate: Explore What’s Inside Ontario Agritourism ~ OAT Features:

🎡 The Ontario Agritourism Directory – Find Your Fair & Society Events!

🗞️ Ontario Agritourism News – What’s Happening at Your Society

  Ontario Agritourism Showcase – Spotlighting each Member Fair

📖 Agritourism Guide – Talk the Talk!

✍️ OAT Field Notes Articles – Real Stories from the Field and the Fairgrounds

🎥 OAT Agri-Flicks Videos – See It All in Action

Stop by and say hello. We’d be thrilled to talk about how we can help tell your fair’s story.

So, Why Should You Attend the 2026 OAAS Convention?

Because fairs matter.
Because volunteers matter.
Because communities matter.
Because you matter.

And because the OAAS Convention is the one place where everyone understands what it takes to build a fair—from the first planning meeting to the last piece of fencing taken down.

See you February 19–21, 2026.

Bring your ideas, your enthusiasm, and your fair spirit.

The fair family reunion is waiting.