Black and white photo of a crowded amusement park with rides, including a Ferris wheel and a swing ride, and many people in vintage clothing walking around and enjoying the attractions.

★ Est. 1868

One hundred and Forty-nine years OF SEPTEMBER

From a two-day livestock show on the Crystal Palace lawn to London's most beloved autumn tradition — this is the story of the Western Fair, told in images.

1868

First Fair

149

Years of Tradition

10

Days Each September

Jump to era

Origins · 1868

Golden Age · 1900s

The Grandstand

The Midway

War & Revival

Modern Era

The People

This photo gallery covers the last 149 years.

Enjoy your walk through time

1868

The very beginning

Crystal Palace Barracks · Downtown London

★ The Founding

Two societies, one vision

Late in 1867, the Western Fair Association was founded through the amalgamation of the East Middlesex Agricultural Society and the London District Horticultural and Agricultural Society.

The first official meeting was held in 1868, and the very first Western Fair — predominantly livestock shows — was held on September 29 & 30 on the lands surrounding the Crystal Palace Barracks, just north of today's Victoria Park.

04-1895-queens-park-gate
The Crystal Palace Provincial Exhibition Building, 1875
05-1912-crystal_palace_at_queen

★ A New Home

Moving to Queens Park

Shortly thereafter the fair moved east of Adelaide Street to the beautiful Old East Village neighbourhood — to what was known as Salter's Grove, now called Queens Park. A spectacular new Crystal Palace exhibition pavilion was built on this location by 1887.

You can see the Queens Park gate in 1895, with street cars running in front — and the Crystal Palace in 1912, fifteen years before it was lost to fire in January 1927.

1898

The golden age of exhibition

Ten days of industry, agriculture & art

★ Ten Days Strong

The fair finds its rhythm

By 1898 the Western Fair spanned 10 days, as it still does today, highlighting industrial and art exhibitions. Throughout its history, industry and arts exhibits were the mainstay of the fair.

One could partake in agricultural competitions — horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, field crops and grains, garden vegetables, dairy, honey and maple syrup, fruit and flowers — as well as fine arts, ladies' work, and household sciences, all for prize money and ribbon-winning reputations.

Vintage poster for the Western Fair, celebrating its 1898 Silver Jubilee, featuring a young woman holding a horse and smaller scenes of people with horses, advertising an industrial and art exhibition in London, Canada, from September 8th to 17th.

The Western Fair was an exciting and prestigious community celebration. It was THE place to see and be seen

1913-western-fair-promotional-sign
A black and white photograph from 1918 showing an exhibition of tractors. The scene is outdoors with many people gathered around, some standing and some sitting on or near old-fashioned tractors. Tents and utility poles are visible in the background.
Black and white photo of a farm produce stand with ducks and chickens displayed on tables and ground. Signs reading 'Middlesex for Quality' and 'EAST LONDON, ONT.' are visible.

★ A Dressy Occasion

Horses, industry & innovation

Horse competitions were vast in the early days, as horses were integral to farming and transportation — light Standardbred and thoroughbred, harness and roadster classes, carriage ponies and heavy horses.

Equipment displays like the 1918 tractor exhibit were a vital part of agri-business — not unlike the farm shows of today. Many came from far and wide to see the latest innovations and make decisions to better their farming operations.

Historical black and white photograph of a vintage horse racing track with a large spectator grandstand filled with spectators.
A black-and-white photograph of a street corner with trees, utility poles, and buildings in the background. There is a small park or playground area with a fence, a bench, and a person walking.

1915

The great Grandstand

The main stage of spectacle & entertainment

★ Rebuilt in Steel

Rising from the ashes

The great Grandstand was the main stage of entertainment and thrilling spectacles at the Western Fair. In 1915 it was reconstructed out of steel to replace the wooden one that burned down on Christmas Day, 1914.

Built significantly smaller than the previous Grandstand, it still stands in the same location and continues to operate today — more than a century later.

Black and white photo of two men riding a circular amusement park ride with a wooden floor and a crowd seated in the background.
Black and white photo of a race track with a grandstand filled with spectators. The grandstand has a roof and is elevated over the track, with people seated underneath. The track curves to the right, with a few people standing along the edge.
Outdoor concert stage with performers and equipment, audience seated in front, at a stadium or amphitheater with a parking lot in the background.

★ Spectacles & Stars

From bicycle thrills to TV stars

The Grandstand showcased horse racing and horse shows, cattle competitions, military displays, and spectacular attractions of the day — like this remarkable 1922 bicycle thrill show.

Over the years the Grandstand has featured a wide variety of entertainment, including many stars of stage, screen, and television.

Black and white photo of a park with people walking and sitting, a large tree, and a building with corner columns and street lamps.

London's first art gallery — the Western Fair Arts Building, constructed in 1928, was considered one of the foremost art exhibit buildings in existence.

1976

The thrill of the midway

Fun and adventure for young and old alike

★ Independent Operation

A midway of our own

A thrilling component of the fair's allure was — and is — the tremendous fun to be had on its midway. In the early days, rides and games were run by midway operators, but by the 1960s the Western Fair began its own independent midway operation.

This was a unique achievement at the time, managing the contracting of independent ride owners to operate specific rides so that Western Fair could curate a variety of new experiences ride fans were looking for alongside the traditional favourite, control ticketing, customer experience, and safety.

Black and white photo of a fairground with a Ferris wheel, carnival booths, tents, and a crowd of people, with a sign reading 'Western Fair' in the background.

An aerial view of Western Fair District, 1955

In 1976, the Zyclon Roller Coaster was purchased by the Western Fair — and was the top-grossing midway ride for many, many years

People enjoying a carnival ride with a Coca-Cola kiosk nearby
A roller coaster ride named 'Crazy Mouse' with colorful flags and four children riding in a green coaster car.
Vintage carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel and a moon-shaped ride, with a small ticket booth in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.

★ The Coaster Legacy

From the Zyclon to the Crazy Mouse

The Zyclon was installed on the main lot to augment the independent midway experience. Operational only during the annual fair, it remained the top-grossing ride for decades.

Today, the fair's midway provider North American Midway Entertainment brings the Crazy Mouse coaster, erecting it every year for 10 days – one of the most-loved rides on the midway each September.

A carnival scene at sunset with rides, booths, and crowds of people walking around.
Night scene of a carnival with a large illuminated Ferris wheel, other amusement rides, tents, and a crowd of people.

1942

War, pause & revival

The fair's resilience through hard years

★ The War Years

A training depot, a fair paused

The vast majority of major changes to the Western Fair took place since World War II. During the nine-year war period, the fairgrounds became an army manning and training depot. Many buildings were torn down and temporary army buildings erected.

Naturally, this was a period when the annual Western Fair was cancelled in light of the war effort — the first cancellation in its history.

Black and white photo of a carnival with a ferris wheel, rides, game booths, and tents, with industrial buildings in the background.
Four soldiers in World War I uniforms operating a large artillery cannon outdoors with buildings and a tree in the background.

Artillery practice on the fairgrounds during WWII

A black and white photo of people waiting outside a Western Air train station on a rainy day, with reflections in the puddles on the ground.

★ Bigger & Better

The post-war comeback

After the war, loyal directors and volunteers kept interest in the fair alive. In late 1947, when portions of the grounds were returned to the Western Fair Association, an even bigger and better fair was planned for 1948.

By 1950, the fair regained momentum at 6 days long, offering agricultural exhibits, butter and cheese displays, health and hobby exhibits, plus new industrial and store displays.

The 2020 Western Fair was the first since World War II to be cancelled — this time by a worldwide pandemic. We couldn't wait to be together again

1989

The modern fair

Agriculture, education & evolution

★ Livestock 2000

A new vision for agriculture

As the agricultural industry continued to change, in 1989 the Western Fair inaugurated a radical new concept for its competitive livestock display called "Livestock 2000."

It took the bold step of emphasizing agricultural awareness programs rather than livestock competitions — and the fair remains proud of the agricultural programming and education it offers school children and attendees every year.

A young girl with face paint resembling a fox petting two decorated horses at an outdoor event.
A young girl sitting on the back of a large brown horse inside a riding arena, with a man holding the horse's reins and several people observing nearby. There is a sign that reads 'Heavy Horses' in the background.

The agricultural barns remain a fair favourite

Man in blue shirt and cap talking to a woman surrounded by children at a farm event with cows in the pen.
People leading show cattle in a ring at an indoor livestock event.

Always

The people behind the magic

Volunteers, staff & fair fans like you

★ The Secret Ingredient

Built by the community

The people who administer and operate the Western Fair are the 'secret' behind its successful longevity. The Association is formed by a completely volunteer membership which elects a board to oversee its responsibilities.

Today, a dedicated and passionate staff work alongside the Board and volunteer membership to deliver the Western Fair every year. All generations have made great contributions — not just to the fair, but to the city of London and southwestern Ontario.

Black and white photograph of fifteen men dressed in early 20th-century suits and hats, standing in front of a wooden building, some with badges or medals, likely in a group or organizational setting.
People laying flowers at a commemorative event or memorial, with a brick building and stairs in the background.

Our loyal customers and new attendees who fall in love with the fair each year — you too are part of the eternal magic of the fair

Clown with white face makeup and colorful costume entertaining an older couple at an outdoor event with many people watching. There are tents and banners in the background.
Group of four children and a clown at a carnival or fair, with food stalls and a Ferris wheel in the background.
Entrance sign of Western Fair District with a blue and red geometric decoration on top, at sunset, with people entering and a Ferris wheel visible in the background.

★ The story continues

And we're so looking forward to the future — with all of you

Thank you to every fair fan who has supported the Western Fair year after year.
The next chapter begins September 11–20, 2026.

Be Part of 2026 →