Explore the Connection Between Two Fall Classics
It’s the season for fall fairs. Fairs offer something for everyone: traditional crop and harvest displays, plowing matches, 4-H shows, beauty pageants, baby contests and more. No matter what draws you in, one thing shines through at every fair: a strong sense of community.
Recognition, Innovation and Community
Over the past 200 years, fairs have played an important role in bringing rural communities together. While midway rides, concerts and derbies provide entertainment, the main purpose of a fair is creating an agricultural gathering space where farmers can share knowledge, celebrate the end of the harvest season and showcase their crops and livestock.
A popular example of farmers showcasing their crops is the fruit and vegetable exhibits, where giant pumpkins are always a crowd favourite.
Traditional Giant Pumpkins
The tradition of showcasing giant pumpkins goes back to the 1900s, when Ontario farmer William Warnock won a bronze medal for his 403-pound pumpkin at the Paris World’s Fair. By 1904, Warnock was sharing his growing tips with other farmers – sparking a tradition that continues to this day.
With the ever-growing popularity of pumpkins, giant pumpkins and other unique varieties may become attractions of their own at fairs. But the popularity of pumpkins also reflects the values associated with the fall fair. Bringing communities together to showcase pick-your-own pumpkin patches, pumpkin fests and festive displays that celebrate farmers, encourage agricultural innovation and community support.
How CVC Helps Farmers
At Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), we also bring people together through agricultural innovation and environmental stewardship.
Although harvest season is a time to celebrate local agriculture, many farmers in the Credit River Watershed are community champions all year long. And year-round we’re helping farmers take action to protect water quality and care for their land.
We’re here to support you in doing the same. Whether you’re exploring ideas or already have a stewardship project in mind, we can help you bring it to life. Connect with us to get started.
Main photo: Giant Pumpkins by Doug Donaldson, CC BY 2.0.