Country Fairs in Canada (Paperback)

In the beginning, most fairs were agricultural exhibitions, designed to improve agricultural practices and the rural lifestyle. But as Canada changed the fairs adapted to new economic conditions, population shifts from rural to urban, new technologies, and changing geographical boundaries. What remained the same was the focus on agriculture and entertainment. Midways, parades, and main-stage shows combine with trade exhibits, livestock shows, produce and product displays, and rodeos, making fairs the showcases of their regions' accomplishments. From fruit displays in southern Ontario to rodeos on the prairies, dairy shows in Quebec to the natural resource themes of the Maritimes and British Columbia, author and history teacher Guy Scott traces the history and attraction of fairs through the ages. He pays tribute to a Canadian institution and encourages us to enjoy all that fairs have to offer: past, present, and future.