About the Fair
The New Liskeard Fall Fair has been part of the fabric of Temiskaming for more than 100 years. Although the Fair is the primary showcase for agriculture in the region and has strong ties to the farm community, it also provides a wide range of entertainment and events for all ages.
The Fair is held annually on the third weekend in September, beginning early on Thursday afternoon and concluding Saturday night with the much anticipated attendance draw. From the moment the gates open on Thursday, until the Fair closes on Saturday night, there is non-stop activity on the grounds.
Over 450 exhibitors participate in the hundreds of classes offered in the many sections of the fair. Vibrant exhibits help to make the fair both appealing and interesting to our visitors. The Riverside Place becomes the Homecraft section and showcases a marvelous display of baking, canning and homecrafts which are open for public viewing for the entire event. A Harvest Tea Room offers refreshments and homemade desserts proudly prepared by fall fair volunteers. Another important display area is the Horticulture and School Sections, dedicated to school participation, youth exhibits, flowers, vegetables, fruit, grains & grasses. Both of these buildings are filled to overflowing with exhibits from local farmers & gardeners, school children, 4H and our local community living group.
The five livestock barns are filled with light and heavy horses, beef and dairy cattle, goats and sheep. In the Poultry and small animal barn there are chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and rabbits of all breeds, making it the most popular place to visit on the fair grounds. There are two showrings located at the fair and both are busy throughout the event. The general public are invited and encouraged to tour the barns, attend the competitions and learn about agriculture here in the area and across the country. There are livestock shows presented throughout the weekend, starting on Thursday night with goats and sheep, continuing on Friday with line classes for light & heavy draft horses and the dairy show. On Saturday there is english jumping and flat classes, 4-H Beef, a market cattle show and sale and the always exciting draft horse hitch classes.
The agricultural component is part participation and part attraction for the New Liskeard Fall Fair. We showcase a different agricultural based attraction each night in the main showring.
Starting on Thursday night, we provide a venue for the local draft horse industry at our heavy horse pull. Although most teams originate from Northern Ontario and Quebec, teams have attended from Southern Ontario and the USA. Friday night is dominated by the western games competition with participants and spectators attending from Northeastern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec. Saturday night is dedicated to the Draft Horse Hitch Classes, a very showy exhibition of drivers and teams showcasing horsemanship, tack and equipment. These three high profile attractions pack the stands each and every night.
The Curling Club is the base for our staged entertainment and indoor commercial area. Divided into two sections, the stage area provides a venue for the Harvest Queen Contest, local talent presentations, bands and mainline acts. On the commercial side, the other section of the club provides concession space for local non-profits,commercial displays and food vendors. Outside on the main grounds we provide a midway and space for outdoor concessions, including commercial entities and food vendors.
The annual Harvest Queen contest dominates mainstage on Thursday night for the talent show and Friday night for the queen crowning. Seating is at capacity and is standing room only every night in the Curling Club regardless of the events taking place on stage. Saturday night is the grand finale with plenty of quality entertainment and the new car attendance draw. Ten names are drawn each night and on Saturday night the car is awarded in an elimination draw from the 30 qualified finalists. It is exciting end to the three days of festivities.
On the education side, we have partnered with the Temiskaming Early Years Center to provide a fun and educational center for children from newborn to age 6. It is a wonderful area complete with play stations, nursing area and an agricultural based theme. Families love the space for their little ones and it introduces familes to resources in our local area.
Friday is dedicated to Kids. Schools are invited to participate in the school day parade and are provided free admission into the fair for the afternoon. A scavenger hunt and educational activities are part of the kids day program . We work with many local agricultural commodity organizations to present the Farm Fun Zone which provides agricultural education showcased in a fun and interactive program. In 2013, there were over 2000 school children who participated in the Kids Day Parade.
Due to its quality, longevity and volunteers, the New Liskeard Fall Fair has become a prime tourist attraction in the Temiskaming region. People come from all over Ontario, Quebec and Canada to attend our annual fair. Grown children return home with their families in tow to share the experience of a true agricultural fair; so the legacy continues.