The first Markham Fair was held in 1844 and, 163 years later, it is one of the largest agricultural fairs in Canada. 

Before I started out on my explorations, Karen Murphy, chairman of the public relations and promotions committee, explained to me some of the history of the Markham Fair and the ideals that have made it so successful over the years.

First of all, even in the urbanizing era in which we live, the Fair has remained loyal to its agricultural roots.

“We are trying to keep agriculture a high priority,” she said.  “A lot of people who are from the city don’t understand where our food comes from, how our milk gets on the table.”

It’s not that the Fair does not adapt to urban growth. 

“As the world changes, we’re changing too,” she said.

For example, there are some events and attractions designed to draw families, and especially children, who are not from a farming tradition.  There’s a bike show, skateboarding demonstrations.  Dora the Explorer, the popular television character, will be at the Fair on Sunday.  But visitors will then have the opportunity of viewing, touching and experiencing the many agricultural exhibits and events and learning more about how food is produced.

These include cow milking and sheep shearing demonstrations.  At “Old MacDonald’s Farm” you will get up close to the whole range of farm livestock —baby chicks, pigs (including a sow with a nursing litter of twelve), sheep, goats, cattle and horses.

Visitors will also enjoy the wide variety of crafts and works of art produced locally by people of all ages.  And they won’t want to miss the exciting competitive events such as the light horse and heavy horse competitions and the tractor pull.

Many of the civic organizations that deliver vital services to the people of Markham are also on hand with eye-catching and informative displays, including the Markham Fire Department, Power Stream and York Emergency and Medical Services.

The Markham Fair is the largest four-day fair in Canada but operates on the strength of volunteers.  The Fair has only four employees.  Hundreds of volunteers staff its many organizational committees.  The twenty-four members of the Board of Directors are volunteer.  All make up what Karen Murphy called “the Markham Fair family”. 

In addition, through its far-sighted program of Junior Directors---up to twenty-one years of age---young people are given a chance to learn the ropes and will carry that experience over as they come of age and assume greater responsibilities.

Markham Fair has also worked with York Region Transit to make the fair more accessible.  There are YRT buses shuttling from Markville Mall and main street Stouffville.

There’s still one more day so come on out and enjoy our agricultural roots.