Who Are We?
We’re the Ancaster Agricultural Society.
Founded in 1850, the Ancaster Agricultural Society (AAS) is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization, with deep roots in Ancaster and greater Hamilton area.
The AAS proudly hosted the first Ancaster Fair 174 years ago, establishing a longstanding tradition that continues to this day.
We thrive on a sense of deep community ties, with long-standing, generational membership that spans across various demographics. Each year at the annual Fair, we bring together 50,000 people from all backgrounds, representing a wide range of experiences and age groups, to celebrate agricultural traditions and the diversity of our community. It takes 35 committees with approximately 700 volunteers (many second and third generation) working throughout the year to make it happen.
At the heart of the AAS is a commitment to remembering and preserving our history as an agricultural society. Agricultural heritage and tradition are fundamental to our mission. We are dedicated to teaching people about the history and origins of their food, emphasizing the importance of understanding where our food actually comes from.
While we honour our past, we’re always looking to the future. The AAS meets change with flexibility and positivity, embracing it as a driving factor for growth and improvement within our organization. Our adaptability ensures that we remain relevant and progressive in a constantly evolving world.
Volunteerism and hard work are the pillars of the AAS. Our committees and dedicated volunteers are the backbone of our society, making everything we do possible. Their commitment and passion are what define the AAS and allow us to achieve our goals.
The Ancaster Agricultural Society is more than just the annual Ancaster Fair, which spans only one weekend each year. We are a year-round, functioning body, operating as an event centre that hosts multiple events every week. This continuous activity allows us to serve our community in numerous ways, making the AAS a dynamic and integral part of Ancaster.
The Ancaster Agricultural Society is a registered not-for-profit organization relying on the hard work and commitment of volunteers to operate year round.
If you would like to contribute to our work, click below to learn more about donating to the AAS.
Each year, the Fair welcomes 50,000+ visitors of all ages and from all walks of life.
At the Ancaster Fair you will find agricultural demonstrations, educational displays, horse and livestock shows, field crop, fruit and vegetable competitions, homecrafts, antiques, horticulture, photography and more.
Enjoy entertainment for the whole family including rides, games, music, talent shows, pie eating contests, baby show, church service, and of course, the demolition derby.
The Ancaster Fair Waste Management Program diverts waste from the Fair into recycling, composting, and cardboard. This reduces and diverts waste going to landfills. With help from the City of Hamilton and their waste station program we have successfully increased our diversion rates annually to approximately 35%- 56% since 2015.
The Ancaster Fair
Educational Programming
We also offer four weeks of Ancaster Fair Summer Camp, as well as two Agricultural Education days for grade 3 and 4 students each spring.
Inquire today for your event or explore our social media accounts to find out what’s on at the Fairgrounds.
Facility Rentals
Our world-class facilities at the Ancaster Fairgrounds host events year-round. Our campus is ideally located near Hamilton city centre making it an easy-access destination for tradeshows, weddings, community events, and more.
Our facility is used by community members, businesses, livestock organizations, festivals and commodity groups for a wide variety of events.