Bethany Ontario

The Grand Daddy Fair of all time – the Bobcaygeon Fair!

The origin of fall fairs in Ontario goes back to the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair in Kawartha Lakes. It has truly earned the reputation of being the Grand Daddy of all fairs as it celebrates 157 years of tradition. You will not want to miss it September 29^th to October 1^st.

What can you expect to see at the Fair? Plenty!

• Horse shows including a miniature horse show
• Tractor and Truck Pull
• Demolition Derby

• Pony rides
• A parade
• Talent Show
• Horse Pull

• Dog Show, Sheep Show and a Goat Show
• What fair would be complete without a Midway?
• A talent show! You can register for children 5 and under, Juniors 6 to 12 years and Youth from 13 to 21 years old. But no lip syncing allowed!
• Lots of music including the James Barker Band on Saturday night – and this is an all ages event!

An Interesting History

Bobcaygeon was incorporated as a village in 1876, and became known as the “Hub of the Kawarthas”. There is some mystery to where the name originated from however. History records 4 versions for the origin of the name:

It may be from the Mississauga Ojibway words

• Baabaagwaajiwanaangmeaning “at the very shallow currents”,
• giishkaabikojiwanaang meaning “at the cliffed cascades”,
• obaabikojiwanaang” meaning at the currented rocky narrows”,

Or from the French beau bocage “beautiful hedged farmland”.

There are lots of other celebrations in Bobcaygeon including:

Unlock the summer event. The first lock in the Trent-Severn Waterway was built in Bobcaygeon in 1833. During the last weekend in May or first weekend in June, Bobcaygeon hosts the “Unlock The Summer” Event, as a kick off for summer, and the first opening of the locks of the season.

Ontario Open Fiddle & Step dance Competition. Bobcaygeon also hosts the annual Ontario Open Fiddle & Step dance Competition during the last weekend of July – an event that has been going on since 1970. The annual Bobcaygeon Fall Fair takes place during the last weekend of September. The first was held in 1858.

But with the end of summer upon us, the focus is on the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair.

We hope you will enjoy your visit to the “Daddy of ’em All” and appreciate the many samplings of Entertainment and Agricultural displays we have assembled.

Bobcaygeon Fall Fair President, Pieter VanOudenaren