With 14 weeks to go until its 150th anniversary, the 2020 Kinmount Fair has been cancelled.
The Kinmount Fair Board announced the decision on May 25. The 150th fair was to be held Labour Day weekend, Sept. 4 to Sept. 6.

”With the current public health restrictions in place it is not possible to plan and make preparations as we normally would for the variety of shows at the fair,” reads a message from the fair board posted on the morning of May 25 to their website and social media page. “Added to that issue is the difficulty to manage social distancing for an event the size of the fair.”

The three-day fair typically includes agriculture and equestrian shows, live entertainment, a midway, demolition derby and historical exhibitions and is attended by thousands of people, many who travel to the area to attend.
“The most important thing now is the health and safety of everyone who makes Kinmount Fair what it is – our workers, volunteers, vendors and attendees – so we believe that this is the best decision,” reads the fair board’s message.

“Tough call, but the right one,” said Craig Schroter of Lindsay on the Fair’s Facebook
page. “In 51 years, I had only missed the fair in 1985. This will be the second miss. See you all in 2021!”
Campers who have prepaid for the 2020 Kinmount Fair have two options, according to a message on the Kinmount Fair site. Campers may request a refund of their prepayment, or they may move their prepayment forward to the 2021 fair. The trailer park where camping takes place can be reached at trailerpark@kinmountfair.net.

According to the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Ontario Fairs’ web site, Ontario hosts more than 214 yearly fairs. A listing of fairs in Ontario from May through October shows most have been cancelled or postponed until next year, while some, such as the Hanover Fair and Hymers Fall Fair in Kakabeka Falls, are being held virtually, organizing challenges like a fair exhibit online to showcase photos of hobbies or crafts.
In its long history, the Kinmount Fair has faced setbacks before – during the Great Depression in the 1930s, the fair remained active but finding prize money was challenging and one year the secretary was gifted with a quilt instead of a cash honorarium, according to a 2009 issue of the Kinmount Gazette.

Though this year’s cancellation was heartbreaking for organizers and annual fairgoers, the plan for a 2021 fair is in the works.
“Please be assured that we will be back in 2021 for our 150th anniversary celebrations,” said the Kinmount Fair board directors’ message. “In the coming months we are going to work on planning for a 2021 Kinmount Fair where we can all celebrate our favourite fall fair together safely. See you in 2021.”
The 150th Kinmount Fair is scheduled to take place Sept. 3, 4 and 5, 2021.