Photo: Caledon Agricultural Society President Ed Taccone (left) and Association Secretary Clarence Pinkney pose with the large billboard-style sign announcing the CSA’s plan for a new multi-purpose building.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image via the Caledon Agricultural Society
The Caledon Agricultural Society (CAS) has launched a $3 million capital campaign to expand facilities on the existing fairgrounds, home of the Caledon Fair in June and the July 1 Caledon Canada Day and Strawberry Festival held each year.
“We are planning for [future] generations, and we want to ensure we can provide the opportunities and the facilities to meet the ever-growing demands of our community,” stated Ed Taccone, the President of the Caledon Agricultural Society.
This ambitious campaign represents a major milestone for the volunteer-run organization and is the realization of a decades-long dream for many volunteers.
“I have relentlessly maintained a vision to have a building on the Caledon Fairgrounds—not only for our Caledon Agricultural Society use—but as a much-needed community centre in northwest Caledon,” explained Taccone.
The first Caledon Fair was held in 1860, and since that time, the CAS has been a foundational part of the Caledon Village community. This new build will improve the fairground offerings while creating a functional space, anchoring a strong and thriving community hub where residents can use or rent the building for a variety of purposes.
“I would like to congratulate the Caledon Agricultural Society for launching this ambitious plan to build a new building on their site to host expanded community events in Caledon Village,” exclaimed the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Dufferin-Caledon MPP, who was on hand for the campaign launch announcement.
Taccone said that the new building’s architectural design has been specifically chosen to complement the existing Heritage Hall and to maintain the rural character of the fairgrounds while adding much-needed modern improvements.
The building will be located in the north portion of the fairgrounds, near the existing gazebo.
The new 15,000-square-foot building will have a 6,000-square-foot convertible banquet hall and multi-purpose space; a commercial kitchen with walk-in storage, refrigeration, and a bar area; accessible washrooms; two large garage-style doors for easy equipment access; and much-needed office space for the Agricultural Society’s administration team.
The fairgrounds are advantageously situated within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and organizers are optimistic that the enhanced facility upgrades will make the fairgrounds an attractive consideration for many outside event organizers and generate a positive economic impact for the community.
Taccone commented that when one believes in their dream and vision, it begins to attract their own resources. “I believe and have the confidence in our team to make this happen,” he said. But to make this project a reality, we need your help.”
The CAS is calling upon the generosity and support of community members, local businesses, and philanthropic organizations and asking them to consider how they can contribute to this legacy community project.
The organizers are now focused on fundraising, and they are hopeful enough support will be received so that construction can begin in 2026.
For more information or to donate, visit www.caledonfair.ca.