With the smell of
baked foods wafting from the vendors, cheering fans drowning out music from the Grandstand and nervous
laughter coming from a tent where lizards are being revealed, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show is one
carnival you’ll always remember.
Simcoe has hosted the Norfolk County Fair since 1840, making this event the carnival’s 170th birthday. What
better place to celebrate? With live entertainment, activities, events and competitions for people of every
age, marketing co-ordinator Wendy Brick says this year will be second to none.
Each year they engage children in wonderful educational programs, and being introduced to this year’s event
is the Living Dragons Exhibit, which will feature reptiles from around the world.
While at the Grandstand, Young Canada Day will be in full swing with high school teens taking part in fierce
competitions against each other. Each school has a theme and decorates the stadium, competes in road races,
and participates in tug-of-war and cheerleading. “You have everyone cheering for their school and people who
went to those schools years ago come out to see them,” says Brick. “It’s really creative and so
high-energy.”
Also taking place will be a skateboarding competition, horse races, rides and an intense pumpkin weigh-off.
Last year’s record-breaking pumpkin was 1,450 lbs and the winners walked away with a grand prize of $2,000,
says Brick.
Along with all of the excitement from competitions and events, celebrities will be out in full force this
year. Celebrity chefs like Lynn Crawford, Anna Olson and Rob Rainford from the Food Network will be
attending and cooking up a storm. Meanwhile, favourites like the Barenaked Ladies, Lonestar and Jodi Messina
will be performing live at the Grandstand.
Don’t miss out on all the fun! •
05 Norfolk County Fair and
Horse Show, Oct 5-11, Simcoe, norfolkcountyfair.com
