Orono Fair bringing smiles to visitors and making history in Clarington since 1852

The 169th running of the Orono Fair, one of the oldest county fairs in Ontario, returns to the Orono Fairgrounds this weekend, with the event kicking off Thursday at 5 p.m.

This year’s fair is highlighted by an appearance on the main stage Friday night by legendary Canadian country rockers Blue Rodeo, a show that has been sold out for weeks.

There’s a little something for everyone at the Orono Fair, a tradition in Durham Region, since before Durham Region. Before confederation, in fact. When you have a fall fair that pre-dates the colonial founding of Canada, you have a fair with some history.

The theme for the 2023 event, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, is ‘Harvesting Community Connections’ and the schedule is jam-packed with activities, including a demo cross, fiddle contest, sheep shearing and chainsaw carving, fruit, vegetable and crop exhibits and livestock displays of all descriptions.

A craft beer festival is running all weekend and there is lots of live music (besides Blue Rodeo) from acts like Emilee Roberts, Boots of Hazard and Steve Waters and the Cartwright Band.

There will also be blacksmith demos, a truck ‘n tractor pull, 4-H dairy show, maple syrup displays, a scarecrow competition, birds of prey shows, antique tractors, axe throwing, a flower competition and vendors of all kinds.

Admission is $15 for adults (2-for-1 admission Thursday) and $35 for a weekend pass. Kids 13 and under are free with an adult.

There is free parking on site and lots more off-site with a free shuttle to the show.

Blue Rodeo