London's largest community event is back.
The Western Fair opens Friday afternoon and lasts through Sunday, September 17.
The fair is anticipating more visitors this year than in 2022.
"We were very happy last year with how the community embraced the return of the Fair coming out of the pandemic," Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming with the Western Fair said. "The attendance numbers were strong in 2022 and we certainly hope that we can exceed those numbers this year and that visitors have a great experience."
There are a few changes visitors can look forward to, including the addition of the Agriplex Arena to the fair's indoor space. It will feature food vendors, exhibitors, a new community showcase stage, and new culinary stage.
Music lovers will have a triple-threat of concerts to look forward to this year.
On Tuesday, Classic Rock 98.1 presents Burton Cummings and his band for a highly anticipated return to the Western Fair. Cummings has performed at the fair multiple times, as a solo artist and with The Guess Who. His first performance was in 1986 and the latest was in 2018.
On Wednesday, The Beaches will perform. The all-female rock band will be supported by London's own Thunder Queens. The all-female concert lineup celebrates the power of women in rock music.
On Thursday, the Trans-Canada Highwaymen promise an unforgettable night of rock and roll. The band is comprised of Chris Murphy of Sloan, Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, Craig Northey of The Odds, and Steven Page formerly of the Barenaked Ladies. Berg in particular has deep ties to the London community as a faculty member of Fanshawe College's Music Industry Arts program.
The annual Day of Dreams will take place on Wednesday, September 13. The day is a chance for children with special needs, and their families, to enjoy time at the fair when they otherwise might not get the chance.
Blanchard says that those working the fair always look forward to the Day of Dreams. "We can’t thank our sponsor Peter Inch & Associates enough for their continued support of this amazing event and this day has become a focal part of our annual Fair. Day of Dreams will be similar to last year with kiddieland rides, animals and entertainment and lunch, all free to the children and their caregivers who attend," he said.
Two new sensory pods will be added to the fair this year, equipped with items like noise-cancelling headphones to help those who need help processing the sights, smells, noises, or crowds.
On the food front, new offerings include Drizzle Cheesecakes (cheesecake on a stick), Starving Artist (waffle bacon, waffle & chicken), Tacos Cancun, and Triniman Kitchen.
This year, the fair boasts five new rides including the X-Drive in the main area and the Flying Elephants, Tea Cups, Rockin Tug Boats, and Parker City Saloon in the kids' area.
If rides aren't appealing, the Canine Circus, Silver Starlets, Hockey Circus Show, Farmer's Daughters Show, Magician Aaron Matthews, and Smash Wrestling matches are among some of the attractions featuring throughout the fair's run.
Rides, food, and entertainment are staples for many visitors of the fair, but the roots of the event come from agriculture.
Goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep, cattle, horses, and pigs will once again be joined by water buffalos at the animal barn this year. There will also be demonstrations and displays to teach about the animals and their care, farming, and where our food comes from.
The Western Fair Association was founded in 1867, through the amalgamation of the East Middlesex Agricultural Society and the London District Horticultural and Agricultural Society. The first fair, which was predominantly livestock shows, was held September 29 and September 30, 1868 just north of what is now Victoria Park.