Western Fair Association

There’s many different aspects of the Western Fair Association. There’s a rink, racetracks, casino, farmers market, trade shows and assorted merchant events, plus of course the fair.
I very much enjoy all of the events there. I go to the farmers market almost every Saturday, and there’s excellent selection and (usually) good prices.
The fair is always a great time. I’ve gone every year since I was a kid (except when I moved to Vancouver for awhile) and it never disappoints. I look forward to it every year.
The trade shows and sales are interesting, although there’s a lot of overlap between some of them — you’ll see the same booths/​companies over and over.
I’d love to give WFA 5 stars, I really would. It’s so much fun and entertainment right in my neighbourhood. However, I’ve become extremely frustrated with how money-​hungry they’ve become. They’re charging more and more for their events and cutting out the freebies/​deals. The trade shows should not have a cover charge — hundreds of merchants are paying hundreds (and even thousands) of dollars to come target potential clients, and WFA is charging those same potential clients $ 10+ dollars just to get in the door.
My brother had a booth at one of the recent trade shows and I asked him if he had any free passes so I could come check it out. He said the WFA had given him several $ 1 off coupons. That’s just insulting.
5 stars for fun, 0 stars for management.

Awesome recreational facility, offering hockey rinks (of course!), a gymnasium, a cafeteria, a bar, and top all this off with free wifi! Makes the patience of waiting for the hockey game to start all the more enjoyable!

The market at the Western Fair is fantastic! I have been going every Saturday and am able to shop for the whole week. There are cheese shops, organic grocers, bakeries, chocolate shops, great veggie shops and places to sit and eat a meal inside.
I just found out as well that some vendors are open all week in the market, so now I pop in to Fire Roasted Coffee on weekdays.
Downstairs has all your food needs and the upstairs a host of vendors selling everything from home-​made soaps and products, home décor vendors as well as second hand vendors with neat finds.
Definitely worth checking out on a Saturday!

I have not been to this fair for years. I use to go here as a kid every year until I turned 18.
I loved the rides and I loved the hot candied almonds that they served at the stand. I use to play some of the games that they had and would end up winning a small stuffed animal. I still have to win that huge Bart Simpson doll… lol.
Next September, I will plan to go back and see if I run into any of my old friends from school. This place will definitely be nostalgic for me.