“Home for the Harvest” ~ “Traditions are our link to the Past!” ~ Scoop from President Jeff Dornan ~ Norwood Fall Fair ~ Rick Mercer YouTube Video
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| Norwood Fall Fair ~ Thanksgiving Weekend |
“It is my privilege to invite you to
come and enjoy a day or two or maybe even three at the 2015 Norwood Thanksgiving Weekend Fair.
The Fair has a long history in the
township of Asphodel-Norwood and one that we as a community can be justifiably
a bit proud of. Our fairground sign proudly displays the statement “A Tradition Since 1868”. The word
tradition might conjure up memories of times past or of “old ways” of doing
things, and many traditions will usually create a welcome sense of comfort and
familiarity.
The first meeting of what would
eventually become the Norwood
Agricultural Society was held in the year 1868, however there are many
stories and records that place the fairs
beginnings considerably earlier to a least the 1840’s. Organized by our
community minded ancestors, these early exhibitions were large community events
where area farmers could display their harvests and their livestock, the
farmer’s wife and children could also display their handiwork, preserves and baking.
Essentially the Norwood Fair began as a community gathering, a place where family,
friends and neighbours got together for some good-natured competition, to catch
up on town gossip, share a few stories and I would imagine to share even more
laughs. This homecoming family-like atmosphere is what we as directors of the
fair work diligently to preserve and cultivate, and it is those humble
beginnings that form the basis for many of the traditions that we strive to
pass on to future generations of fair goers.
Traditions are
our link to our past
- it is where we came from and one of our earliest mandates was to stay
faithful to our agricultural heritage; we strive to accomplish this by
insisting that our shows and competitions stay agricultural in nature. This
directive allows us to stay connected to our past and honour the efforts and
aspirations of our forefathers, while still providing us the freedom to evolve
and grow.
While the fair has its own customs that
it adheres to, it is also responsible for creating many family traditions. For
most people that grew up in Norwood or the surrounding area the Fair tends to
become a Thanksgiving ritual for them and their family, the holiday weekend
will include a pilgrimage to the fair as well as gathering to enjoy a holiday
feast together. As time passes and families move and expand this annual ritual
usually still continues; bringing extended family members back home for a trip
to the Fair and the annual friendly fight over the stuffing.
Keeping and maintaining treasured and
familiar customs is where traditions are born, they create a sense of belonging
and a sense of comfort in knowing that certain things will stay the same for as
long as possible.
For our theme this year we have
incorporated both family and Fair traditions together and I hope you will make
or continue to make, the Norwood Fair a part of your own Thanksgiving weekend
traditions as I invite you to come “Home for the Harvest”.
Have an enjoyable and fun filled time
with your family and friends at the Norwood
Fair”.
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| Judi "Scoop" McWilliams Ontario Visited enjoys Norwood Fair |
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| Norwood Fall Fair fun for all generations! |
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| Rick Mercer with Norwood Fall Fair President, Jeff Dornan |
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