Just Kiddin’ Around at the Coombs Fair!

In 2013, our centennial year, the fair will be held on August 10 and 11, and we honour Coombs’ unofficial patron animal, the goat.

Since 1913, the Coombs Fair has been celebrating local agriculture and community. We’re a family affair with lots to do and see. From livestock to garden produce, arts & crafts, photography, needlework and domestic science, many hours of work go into the exhibits at the fair. Children and youth are an important part of keeping traditional, local agriculture alive in these ever-changing times, and 4-H is a huge component of our fair. We extend a warm welcome to everyone to come and enjoy the Coombs Fair.

As the first fair of the season and one of the largest 4-H shows on Vancouver Island, our fair is often the first opportunity for many 4-H members to display their projects and sharpen their skills before entering other fairs. There are also many classes for youth who are not involved in 4-H programs. Fair participants come from across Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Courtenay, Campbell River, Duncan, Saanich and Victoria.

If you would like to participate in the Fair, we’re always looking for exhibitors and volunteers. Suggestions are encouraged, and financial contributions are welcome. We simply couldn’t do this year after year without the generous support of our sponsors, advertisers, groups, organizations and volunteers. To participate as an exhibitor, complete the appropriate entry form, submit the form by the deadline indicated, and then bring the exhibit to the fair at the appropriate time. Win some bragging rights and enter your homemade jam, your prettiest pumpkin or your flashiest photo.

In 2012, we’re celebrated all things ducky at the Coombs Fair on August 11 and 12.  Activities included pancake breakfasts each morning, chicken & duck races, a Ladies’ nail driving competition, plus all kinds of demonstrations and exhibits. We had English and Western Horse Shows and an American Poultry Association sanctioned Poultry Show with chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks. There were sheep, swine, cattle and goats at the fair, too. Guests were invited to come see the entries in our wacky Gardening Hat Contest or watch the spinners working at their wheels. There was live music, good eats, and lots of displays.

Visit the Fair

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Details on times, cost, parking, plus a gallery of images from past fairs.

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2012 Fair Book & Entry Forms

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What will you grow, raise, bake or make to enter in the 99th Annual Coombs Fair? Earn some bragging rights and bring home a blue ribbon. Get all the details on how to submit an entry in our 2012 Entry Catalogue.

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History of the Fair

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In 1913, a group of farmers from Saanich settled in the Hilliers area, and decided to hold a fall fair to show what could be grown and raised in this area. To the best of our knowledge, among them were: Mr. & Mrs. George Moore, Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Clarke and son Dick, Mr. H. Burgoyne, Mr. & Mrs. Hilliers, Mr. Jack Boyd, and Mr. & Mrs. Stevens, who owned the Hilliers store at one time. Since then, only World War II interrupted an otherwise annual event. In 1921 the fall fair was held in Parksville, and then in 1924 the fair was held...

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