The Comox Valley Exhibition has been celebrating Valley agriculture for 151 years, making it one of the region’s oldest community traditions. Their main event is the annual fall fair, held in late August at the Courtenay Fairgrounds on Headquarters Road. The fair brings together family-friendly activities like petting farm animals, dog diving demonstrations, farm animal shows, lumberjack performances, carving demonstrations, and vendor displays, plus food and drink vendors.

Admission is pretty reasonable: $10 for adults, $5 for youth aged 5-12 and seniors on Friday, free for kids under five, or $25 for a family package covering two adults and two kids. The event emphasizes “community spirit and healthy country living,” and the 2025 theme was “Back to our Roots,” focusing on local farming and agricultural heritage in the Comox Valley. It’s designed for all ages, from young kids who want to pet a lamb to adults interested in rural traditions and local food.

The fairgrounds sit on 40 developed acres along the Tsolum River, including both the fair space and a nature park. Beyond the annual fair, the organization works to promote agriculture in the region and offers volunteer opportunities for people who want to get involved in planning and running the event. With over a century and a half of history, the fall fair is a fixture in the Valley’s late-summer calendar.