The Parham Fair Is Returning After A Two-Year COVID Hiatus

Jeff Green | Aug 10, 2022

While many events and festivals across Ontario struggled, the Parham Agricultural Society used it to their advantage.

“After the 2019 fair, almost the entire Fair Board switched over because people were burnt out” said Board President, Haley Rose. “When the new board formed, we looked around the table and decided that we were going to run the fair around two ideas - trying new things and having a good time.”

Only three months later, the group was sitting around a “virtual table” on zoom and making the decision to cancel the Fair for 2020. But buoyed by enthusiasm, they decided to be one of the only Agricultural Societies in the province to host a virtual fair. As one of the smaller societies, this was particularly innovative, as nothing had been done online previously.

“We wanted to continue to be there for our community in any way we could,” said Vice President Richard Benn, “and if that was online, then we were going to do that.”

Under the leadership of Janet Anderson and Margo McCullough, the pet show and kids country games continued. Entries to the Palace (in photographs) were on par with in-person fairs, and the OAAS judge hired to judge the homecrafts competition was so impressed that she refused to accept any payment for her services. 

For the 2021 Fair, the group decided to continue doing what they had agreed to - trying new things. They held a vendors market last with 43 vendors and hundreds of community members.

“It was important that we were still giving to the community,” says Rose. “So we gave back the registration fee to participants, but when Richard and I went around, more than half of the vendors refused it. People did really well financially and we were all trying to support each other.” 

Now in 2022, the Fair returns for its 130th celebration - in person.

The vendor market will be back, with most of last year’s vendors returning. In response to feedback from previous years, more food options will be offered - Chubby Baby’s Food Truck, Beavertails, the Cardinal Cafe, and the Cheesecakery Bakery, as well as traditional standbys of the Rec Committee and the United Church.

Notably absent will be the Anglican Church booth, but in the mantra of the last two years, it too will become something new - a totally kid-staffed ice cream booth, named Good’s Ice Cream and Popsicles, in memory of Mr Parham Fair himself - Melville Good.

In addition to the Horse Draw and the always popular Demolition Derby, the Kids Country Games return, as well as a Petting Zoo and tie dye for the kids (young and old). Much of the new initiatives have been made possible by a Trillium Grant the Agricultural society received, thanks to the efforts of Diana Meeks.

One thing that won’t be there is a midway.

“We know that people want that,” responded Jen Trussell, Vice President, “but they can’t afford to come to small fairs like us anymore, and it just isn’t an option unfortunately.”

But this year sees the ultimate “new” for the Parham Fair - in the form of a beer tent. While taking a break from the sun or enjoying the Lowry Mills Band on Saturday evening, fairgoers can now partake in a cold one from The Local brewery. As Parham has historically always been dry, it’s truly a new era of the Parham Fair.

“The Fair is a labour of love,” says Rose. “it's such a huge part of our childhoods and means so much. Every dollar that comes through the gate goes into our community and next year’s fair.” Here’s to the next 130 years, Parham.

See you at the Fair!

For the complete Fair schedule on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, go to Parhamfair.ca/events