26:
633:
338:(including indoor ice rink). In 1977 the Fair relocated to its current site where the four-day fair is held annually on the weekend preceding Thanksgiving. The Markham Village Library was built in 1980-1981 (on land bought by the then Town of Markham in 1975) now occupies the site of the old fairgrounds and mimics the barrel vault design of the old Agricultural Hall.
346:
The society is an
Ontario corporation that owns and operates the fair and its properties. It is governed by a board of 24 directors, who are elected at each annual meeting for a three-year period, and six junior directors (between the ages of 18 and 26) who are elected annually for a one-year period.
326:
In 1865 Captain
William Armstrong granted 5 acres (2.0 ha) of his land for the fairgrounds to build several buildings (grandstand, track, stalls, ice rink, exhibition hall) including a single floor agricultural hall. A new two floor hall, ticket office and rink was planned in 1894 and in 1916 a
240:
The current library building was built to mimic the shape of the old
Agricultural Hall that once stood at the site (along what is now Highway 7 on the south side from Washington Street to Jerman Street). A fire in 1916 burned down the new hall, ice rink and other buildings (barns). Only the rink was
154:, and is attended by upwards of 80,000 people annually. Approximately 3,000 exhibitors enter more than 12,000 items, which are judged and put on display during the fair. Promoting excellence through competition in this way makes fairs unique in comparison to other events.
173:
Due to increased technology and rapid communication, agricultural societies no longer find it necessary to provide this service, but the
Markham Fair continues to provide the community with a showcase for talents and products in a friendly competitive spirit.
347:
All directors are elected by members of the society who attend the annual meeting. From among the directors, the
President (Chair) and two vice-presidents are elected following the annual meeting, along with a Treasurer, General Manager, and Secretary.
169:
yields. Often the society would collectively purchase a bull or seed grain, which would be made available to members only. The fall fair would then be an opportunity for the farmers to compete by showing off the fruits of their labour.
327:
fire destroyed those buildings and were later replaced with a larger
Agricultural Hall (Crystal Palace) to house the fair. The massive brick 220 feet (67 m) by 74 feet (23 m) rink would serve as an early recreation centre.
375:
In addition, there are over 750 volunteers involved with the operations, which fill the board seats and form some 75 committees, which share administrative duties and the Fair operating procedures.
199:
The 2021 Fair was held but required prepurchased tickets and physical distancing by means of one way walk through fairgrounds. Food vendors were available near the exit but there was no midway.
355:
The mission of the society is to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community by:
214:
The site has several buildings used to house trade shows and other events. A 1/2-mile track and 4 wood stables are used to store animals. To the east of the fairgrounds is
304:
The earliest recorded fair held in
Markham was in 1857 at the fairgrounds then located on the southeast corner of Main and Wellington Streets (now Main Street Markham and
1359:
520:
698:
1013:
660:
320:
211:
and Elgin Mills Road and sits on 104 acres (42 ha) of former farm land (once farmed by
Jonathan 'John' Williamson) and Stuart and Trevor Watson.
998:
1364:
1349:
978:
783:
305:
1217:
732:
177:
As well as the competitive displays, the community is further brought together to enjoy various forms of entertainment such as horse and
1251:
1033:
758:
710:
1324:
1125:
1038:
1003:
603:
582:
1018:
725:
720:
1276:
653:
450:
285:
A number of local events use the fairgrounds outside of the fair days including home shows, trade shows and warehouse sales.
973:
737:
1261:
988:
432:
387:
693:
414:
257:
Many shows and events are showcased throughout the duration of the fair. In previous years these shows have included:
73:
1094:
1023:
1008:
993:
773:
459:
538:
1354:
1266:
1234:
1156:
1028:
905:
880:
646:
423:
230:
1182:
983:
920:
335:
331:
242:
222:
1271:
950:
840:
481:
293:
143:. With over 700 volunteers working on more than 70 committees, Markham Fair is the largest community-based
1256:
1187:
890:
1344:
1212:
1120:
945:
875:
803:
798:
486:
237:). The fair moved to the current site in 1977, as the original fairground area grew less agricultural.
215:
151:
25:
234:
1297:
1281:
1115:
1110:
900:
865:
850:
813:
688:
441:
316:
1141:
935:
925:
830:
763:
753:
309:
186:
1207:
1202:
940:
930:
895:
845:
808:
778:
472:
246:
226:
362:
holding annual agricultural exhibitions featuring competitions for which prizes may be awarded;
135:
is one of Canada's oldest country fairs, an annual event established in 1844. It is located in
915:
910:
835:
463:
193:
43:
885:
870:
791:
669:
396:
182:
136:
61:
1307:
1177:
1084:
1059:
860:
855:
705:
499:
477:
632:
147:
organization in Canada. The fair and fairgrounds are owned by the agricultural society.
1197:
1151:
1146:
1089:
1079:
1054:
683:
468:
607:
157:
Agricultural societies used to meet on a regular basis to discuss various concepts of
1338:
1302:
525:
1161:
495:
371:
supporting and providing facilities to encourage activities to enrich the community
208:
178:
158:
144:
524:(Markham, ON: Markham Historical Society, 1979), pp. 266-270; also Myra Chepack, "
53:
4 days (week before
Thanksgiving: last week of September or first week of October)
490:
436:
768:
39:
88:
75:
418:
162:
207:
The fairgrounds are located in northern
Markham at the northeast corner of
445:
409:
454:
400:
391:
359:
researching and developing programs to meet the needs of the community;
427:
405:
241:
rebuilt (years later in 1963) on the site and currently part of the
638:
560:
1312:
166:
642:
330:
In 1963 the fair buildings were demolished to make way for the
626:
296:
runs the midway located at the West Gate of the fairgrounds.
315:
The fair attracted farm participation from east section of
124:
368:
encouraging the beautification of the community; and by
245:. The area where the track once sat are now homes with
221:
The original fairground was located at the present day
526:
Markham Fair President 1910: James McCreight Armstrong
1290:
1244:
1226:
1170:
1134:
1103:
1072:
1047:
966:
959:
823:
746:
676:
120:
112:
104:
67:
57:
49:
35:
18:
196:. It was also cancelled in 1917–18 & 1942–44.
518:For a fuller history, Cf. Isabel Champion, ed.,
365:promoting the conservation of natural resources;
323:(East York, Scarborough, Markham, Whitchurch).
192:The 2020 Markham Fair was cancelled due to the
150:The fair occurs annually on the weekend before
654:
267:Freestyle Moto-Cross (FMX) Bike Demonstration
8:
312:(today a neighbourhood of Markham) in 1855.
308:). Prior to that, fairs were held in nearby
963:
661:
647:
639:
631:
141:Markham and East York Agricultural Society
321:York East (provincial electoral district)
1360:Tourist attractions in Markham, Ontario
511:
15:
604:"Markham Fair - 100 Years Ago (1917)"
487:Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival
7:
261:Agri-food Tent Shows (cooking shows)
1252:Markham Fire and Emergency Services
539:"Cancellation of 2020 Markham Fair"
14:
1325:List of municipalities in Ontario
561:"About the Markham Fair Location"
528:," Markham Fair official website.
243:Markham Village Community Centre
189:, and displays of farm animals.
30:One of the fair's shows at night
24:
583:"Markham Village Heritage Tour"
1277:York Region Paramedic Services
451:Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
1:
1365:Festivals established in 1844
1350:1844 establishments in Canada
1262:Markham Stouffville Hospital
433:Canadian Lakehead Exhibition
388:Canadian National Exhibition
383:Other Canadian annual fairs
276:Sheep Shearing Demonstration
415:Pacific National Exhibition
231:Robert Goodfellow Armstrong
229:and Highway 7 (farmland of
1381:
460:Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
165:development and increased
1321:
1267:Ontario Provincial Police
1235:Markham Economist and Sun
1055:Seneca Polytechnic campus
424:Central Canada Exhibition
23:
1213:Unionville Train Station
1116:Markham Civic Centre Ice
563:. Markham Fair Committee
541:. Markham Fair Committee
332:Markham Village Cenotaph
264:Gymnastics demonstration
1272:Shouldice Hernia Centre
482:Sooke, British Columbia
225:at southeast corner of
223:Markham Village Library
1257:Markham Public Library
1188:Main Street Unionville
1060:York University campus
125:https://markhamfair.ca
1203:Markham Train Station
1121:Markham Pan Am Centre
319:based loosely on the
89:43.92472°N 79.29478°W
1298:Cary, North Carolina
1282:York Regional Police
1111:Angus Glen Golf Club
759:Other transportation
442:Red River Exhibition
294:World's Finest Shows
161:improvement such as
1303:Nördlingen, Germany
1183:Main Street Markham
1142:First Markham Place
921:Old Markham Village
784:York Regional Roads
764:York Region Transit
249:along Main Street.
94:43.92472; -79.29478
85: /
1218:Varley Art Gallery
779:Viva Rapid Transit
699:Historic buildings
521:Markham: 1793-1900
473:Schomberg, Ontario
342:Board of directors
216:Little Rouge Creek
139:and hosted by the
1332:
1331:
1208:Thornhill Village
1068:
1067:
585:. City of Markham
464:Brandon, Manitoba
194:COVID-19 pandemic
130:
129:
44:Agricultural show
1372:
1355:Fairs in Ontario
989:Markham District
964:
881:Downtown Markham
792:Stouffville line
670:Markham, Ontario
663:
656:
649:
640:
635:
630:
629:
627:Official website
612:
611:
606:. Archived from
600:
594:
593:
591:
590:
579:
573:
572:
570:
568:
557:
551:
550:
548:
546:
535:
529:
516:
397:Calgary Stampede
336:Community Centre
270:Demolition Derby
235:Wellington Hotel
183:demolition derby
137:Markham, Ontario
100:
99:
97:
96:
95:
90:
86:
83:
82:
81:
78:
62:Markham, Ontario
28:
16:
1380:
1379:
1375:
1374:
1373:
1371:
1370:
1369:
1335:
1334:
1333:
1328:
1317:
1308:Pearland, Texas
1286:
1240:
1222:
1178:Heintzman House
1166:
1130:
1099:
1085:Markham Thunder
1064:
1043:
955:
819:
754:Highway 407 ETR
742:
711:Previous mayors
672:
667:
625:
624:
621:
616:
615:
602:
601:
597:
588:
586:
581:
580:
576:
566:
564:
559:
558:
554:
544:
542:
537:
536:
532:
517:
513:
508:
500:London, Ontario
478:Sooke Fall Fair
406:Edmonton K-Days
381:
353:
344:
302:
291:
283:
255:
205:
93:
91:
87:
84:
79:
76:
74:
72:
71:
31:
12:
11:
5:
1378:
1376:
1368:
1367:
1362:
1357:
1352:
1347:
1337:
1336:
1330:
1329:
1322:
1319:
1318:
1316:
1315:
1310:
1305:
1300:
1294:
1292:
1288:
1287:
1285:
1284:
1279:
1274:
1269:
1264:
1259:
1254:
1248:
1246:
1242:
1241:
1239:
1238:
1230:
1228:
1224:
1223:
1221:
1220:
1215:
1210:
1205:
1200:
1198:Markham Museum
1195:
1190:
1185:
1180:
1174:
1172:
1168:
1167:
1165:
1164:
1159:
1157:Markville Mall
1154:
1152:Market Village
1149:
1147:Langham Square
1144:
1138:
1136:
1132:
1131:
1129:
1128:
1123:
1118:
1113:
1107:
1105:
1101:
1100:
1098:
1097:
1092:
1090:Markham Waxers
1087:
1082:
1080:Markham Royals
1076:
1074:
1070:
1069:
1066:
1065:
1063:
1062:
1057:
1051:
1049:
1048:Post-secondary
1045:
1044:
1042:
1041:
1036:
1031:
1026:
1021:
1016:
1011:
1009:Milliken Mills
1006:
1001:
996:
991:
986:
981:
976:
970:
968:
961:
957:
956:
954:
953:
951:Wismer Commons
948:
943:
938:
933:
928:
923:
918:
913:
908:
906:Markham Centre
903:
898:
893:
888:
883:
878:
873:
868:
863:
858:
853:
848:
843:
841:Berczy Village
838:
833:
827:
825:
821:
820:
818:
817:
811:
806:
801:
796:
787:
786:
781:
776:
771:
766:
761:
756:
750:
748:
747:Transportation
744:
743:
741:
740:
735:
733:Notable people
730:
729:
728:
723:
715:
714:
713:
703:
702:
701:
691:
686:
680:
678:
674:
673:
668:
666:
665:
658:
651:
643:
637:
636:
620:
619:External links
617:
614:
613:
610:on 2017-10-03.
595:
574:
552:
530:
510:
509:
507:
504:
503:
502:
493:
484:
475:
469:Schomberg Fair
466:
457:
448:
439:
430:
421:
412:
403:
394:
380:
377:
373:
372:
369:
366:
363:
360:
352:
349:
343:
340:
301:
298:
290:
287:
282:
279:
278:
277:
274:
271:
268:
265:
262:
254:
251:
204:
201:
128:
127:
122:
118:
117:
114:
110:
109:
106:
102:
101:
69:
65:
64:
59:
55:
54:
51:
47:
46:
37:
33:
32:
29:
21:
20:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1377:
1366:
1363:
1361:
1358:
1356:
1353:
1351:
1348:
1346:
1343:
1342:
1340:
1327:
1326:
1320:
1314:
1311:
1309:
1306:
1304:
1301:
1299:
1296:
1295:
1293:
1291:Sister cities
1289:
1283:
1280:
1278:
1275:
1273:
1270:
1268:
1265:
1263:
1260:
1258:
1255:
1253:
1250:
1249:
1247:
1243:
1237:
1236:
1232:
1231:
1229:
1225:
1219:
1216:
1214:
1211:
1209:
1206:
1204:
1201:
1199:
1196:
1194:
1191:
1189:
1186:
1184:
1181:
1179:
1176:
1175:
1173:
1169:
1163:
1160:
1158:
1155:
1153:
1150:
1148:
1145:
1143:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1133:
1127:
1124:
1122:
1119:
1117:
1114:
1112:
1109:
1108:
1106:
1102:
1096:
1093:
1091:
1088:
1086:
1083:
1081:
1078:
1077:
1075:
1071:
1061:
1058:
1056:
1053:
1052:
1050:
1046:
1040:
1037:
1035:
1032:
1030:
1027:
1025:
1022:
1020:
1017:
1015:
1014:St. Augustine
1012:
1010:
1007:
1005:
1002:
1000:
997:
995:
992:
990:
987:
985:
982:
980:
979:Brother André
977:
975:
972:
971:
969:
965:
962:
958:
952:
949:
947:
944:
942:
939:
937:
934:
932:
929:
927:
924:
922:
919:
917:
914:
912:
909:
907:
904:
902:
899:
897:
894:
892:
891:Greensborough
889:
887:
884:
882:
879:
877:
874:
872:
869:
867:
864:
862:
859:
857:
854:
852:
849:
847:
844:
842:
839:
837:
834:
832:
829:
828:
826:
822:
815:
812:
810:
807:
805:
802:
800:
797:
795:
793:
789:
788:
785:
782:
780:
777:
775:
772:
770:
767:
765:
762:
760:
757:
755:
752:
751:
749:
745:
739:
736:
734:
731:
727:
724:
722:
719:
718:
716:
712:
709:
708:
707:
704:
700:
697:
696:
695:
692:
690:
687:
685:
682:
681:
679:
675:
671:
664:
659:
657:
652:
650:
645:
644:
641:
634:
628:
623:
622:
618:
609:
605:
599:
596:
584:
578:
575:
562:
556:
553:
540:
534:
531:
527:
523:
522:
515:
512:
505:
501:
497:
494:
492:
488:
485:
483:
479:
476:
474:
470:
467:
465:
461:
458:
456:
452:
449:
447:
443:
440:
438:
434:
431:
429:
425:
422:
420:
416:
413:
411:
407:
404:
402:
398:
395:
393:
389:
386:
385:
384:
378:
376:
370:
367:
364:
361:
358:
357:
356:
350:
348:
341:
339:
337:
333:
328:
324:
322:
318:
313:
311:
307:
299:
297:
295:
288:
286:
280:
275:
272:
269:
266:
263:
260:
259:
258:
252:
250:
248:
244:
238:
236:
232:
228:
224:
219:
217:
212:
210:
202:
200:
197:
195:
190:
188:
184:
180:
179:tractor pulls
175:
171:
168:
164:
160:
155:
153:
148:
146:
142:
138:
134:
126:
123:
119:
115:
111:
107:
103:
98:
70:
66:
63:
60:
56:
52:
48:
45:
41:
38:
34:
27:
22:
17:
1345:Annual fairs
1323:
1313:Wuhan, China
1233:
1193:Markham Fair
1192:
1162:Pacific Mall
974:Bill Hogarth
946:Vinegar Hill
876:Dickson Hill
790:
608:the original
598:
587:. Retrieved
577:
565:. Retrieved
555:
543:. Retrieved
533:
519:
514:
496:Western Fair
382:
374:
354:
345:
329:
325:
314:
303:
292:
284:
281:Other events
273:Tractor Pull
256:
239:
220:
213:
209:McCowan Road
206:
198:
191:
187:midway rides
176:
172:
159:agricultural
156:
152:Thanksgiving
149:
140:
133:Markham Fair
132:
131:
105:Years active
19:Markham Fair
1171:Attractions
1004:Middlefield
901:Locust Hill
866:Cedar Grove
851:Buttonville
824:Communities
816:GO stations
738:York Region
677:Main topics
491:Mississauga
437:Thunder Bay
317:York County
247:Reeves Park
227:Main Street
203:Fairgrounds
92: /
68:Coordinates
58:Location(s)
1339:Categories
1104:Recreation
1039:Unionville
1019:St. Robert
936:Unionville
926:Quantztown
831:Angus Glen
804:Centennial
799:Unionville
769:GO Transit
717:Elections
689:Government
589:2016-01-14
506:References
310:Unionville
80:79°17′41″W
77:43°55′29″N
1073:Athletics
1024:Thornhill
994:Markville
967:Secondary
960:Education
941:Underwood
931:Thornhill
846:Box Grove
814:Mount Joy
419:Vancouver
306:Highway 7
163:livestock
145:volunteer
108:180 years
40:fall fair
1245:Services
1135:Shopping
1029:Thornlea
999:McGivney
916:Mongolia
911:Milliken
836:Armadale
446:Winnipeg
410:Edmonton
379:See also
1034:Trudeau
984:Bur Oak
886:Gormley
871:Cornell
809:Markham
694:History
684:Founder
567:May 22,
545:May 22,
455:Toronto
401:Calgary
392:Toronto
351:Mission
300:History
121:Website
113:Founded
1095:Sports
896:Legacy
861:Cashel
856:Cachet
428:Ottawa
289:Midway
253:Events
1227:Media
1126:Parks
706:Mayor
167:grain
50:Dates
36:Genre
726:2010
721:2006
569:2020
547:2020
334:and
233:and
181:, a
116:1844
774:TTC
1341::
498:-
489:-
480:-
471:-
462:-
453:-
444:-
435:-
426:-
417:-
408:-
399:-
390:-
218:.
185:,
794::
662:e
655:t
648:v
592:.
571:.
549:.
42:/
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
