For 166 years, the Oro World’s Fair has served as a gathering spot, a place to have fun and an opportunity to learn a few things.
The Oro Agricultural Society will continue that tradition when it holds the fair Friday and Saturday.
“The fair has always been about community,” said Ed Campbell, past president of the agricultural society. “It can only last 166 years because of the community support and the volunteers.”
Agricultural fairs have always been a place to play and learn, and educating today’s youth is an important part of the Oro-Medonte fair, Campbell said.
“The more people are educated about where their food comes from, the better,” he said.
Dairy and beef shows as well as crop displays are intended to do just that.
Organizers realize, however, to draw kids in and educate them, sometimes there needs to be something fun. This will be the second year in a row there will not be a midway. The fair offered an “air bounce park” with inflatable attractions last year. It was a hit, so it will be back this weekend.
“The kids loved it last year,” Campbell said, adding the 2017 fair was “one of the most successful we’ve had.”
There will be entertainment in the form of a demolition derby, tractor pulls, horse shows and more.
For last year’s fair, organizers changed the layout on the property. When the community gathers again in 2019, another change will be visible. Construction of a new building for exhibits will begin in the spring at the fairgrounds, at the corner of Line 7 and 15/16 Sideroad. Those who attend this weekend’s fair will have a chance to learn about the project and ways they can support it.
The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Click here for a complete schedule of events.
