The Norwood Fall Fair has been a tradition since 1868. We invite you to take a look back with us to memorable events over these past decades.

Moments in History

1880 - Norwood Village granted The Agricultural Society $15 to rent the field which is now known as the Fairgrounds.
1887 - The Society changed its name to East Peterborough Agricultural Society.
1907 - Portable ticket booths were added to the Fair.
1911 - A water well was drilled to 157 feet a $2 per foot!
1916 - Ten country school fairs in the area were invited to compete at the Norwood Fair. The school fair was subsequently replaced with other events.
1923 - Admission fee was raised to 35 cents for adults and 20 cents for children.
1927 - Subscriptions were sold to raise money for the Fair.
1936 - The first parade! The Havelock Band was hired for $12 to march from King's Hotel to the Fairgrounds.
1939 - The Norwood Fair was cancelled due to "present world conditions" (World War 2 was declared that autumn).
1947 - The Norwood Fair is back with the return of the School Fair and a beauty contest for girls.
1953 - The Norwood Fair becomes a two-day event.
1954 - A Baby Show was added. 13 babies, but no spectators!
1955 - The gate receipts total was an Ontario record for a two day fair.
1958 - The Poultry and Horse sheds were destroyed by fire.
1959 - The G.A. Brethen Coliseum (local arena) was built.
1964 - New stands and bleachers were added to the Fair Grounds.
1966 - The Armouries were purchased.
1977 - New Curling Club was built.
1978 - The first Steer Show and Auction held at the Fair.
1979 - Ten acres of land was purchased for parking.
1981 - The Norwood Thanksgiving Weekend Fair is now a Class "A" Fair.
1986 - The first Old McDonalds Farm for children was added to the Fair.
1987 - The Norwood Agricultural Society gets its own constitution.
1989 - A new horse barn was built.
1990 - The "Future Farmers" beef show was introduced.
1993 - Addition of a new horse ring and poultry barn.
1996 - Blue Box recycling program instituted at the Fair.
1997 - New gates and fencing. 14 acres are purchased from the Cuthbertsons for a new recreation complex.
2000 - Portable stage built to house outdoor entertainment. Antique car show moves to high school field.
2002 - www.Norwoodfair.com web site is launched. All Agricultural Society buildings are now smoke free. 89 Antique tractors compete in Demonstration Pull.
2003 - New $3.9 million complex on land donated by the Agricultural Society.
2004 - "Cuthbertson Ring" build on east end of fairgrounds at a cost of $25,0000.00
2005 - "Stevenson Ring enlarged.
2006 - New furnace installed in the Exhibition Building. Former ball booth converted to showers and washrooms.
2007 - New Webmaster & new web site. ATM's preview at our fair.
2008 - Norwood Fair Logo incorporated on to Norwood Post Office cancellation stamp.
New "Home of the Norwood Fair" grounds sign installed facing Alma St.
2009 - School Fair Prize Money increased. KIDZ Koral makes debut in Millennium Room.
2010 - New washrooms constructed at a cost of $200,000.00

Presidents from 1868 to present

1868-1914 Frank Birdsall
1915-1922 Edward Hawthorne
1923-1927 P.M. Grover
1928-1931 Wm. Thompson
1932-1935 Gilbert Elmhurst
1936-1937 Colonel F.E. Birdsall
1938-1940 Wellington Burgess
1941-1942 Wm. G. Barrie
1943-1958 G.A. Brethen
1959-1972 Rod Webb
1973-1974 Keith Ross
1975-1977 George Richardson
1978-1979 Joseph Crowley
1980-1981 Arnold Stevenson
1982-1983 Charles Lobb
1984-1985 Ron Warner
1986-1987 Don Richardson
1988-1989 Robt. Stockdale
1990-1991 Mark Stanley
1992-1993 Murrray Ross
1994-1995 Art Telford
1996-1997 Andrew Elmhurst
1998-1999 Paul Quinlan
2000-2001 Bernie Walsh
2002-2003 Allison Brown
2004-2005 John Kloosterman
2006-2007 Jim Buck
2008-2009 David Crowley
2010-2011 Greg Stewart
2012-2013 Ed Walsh
2014-2015 Jeff Dornan
2016-2017 Steve Ross
2018-2019 Kerstin Walsh
2020-2021 COVID-19
2022-2023 Krista Tweedie