On Aug. 13, Dixieland and the smell of cotton candy will be in the air when Arts on the Ave (AOTA) hosts the first ever Norwood Fair. 

The fair, which is inspired by small town, historical fairs, will take place at 110 Avenue and 90 Street from 11 am to 4 pm. The road where the fair is taking place will be shared by McCauley, Little Italy, and the greater Alberta Ave area.

It’s a “coming together and celebration of the old times of the past and then some of the new pieces of what a fair would [have] in Edmonton today,” says Christy Morin, executive director of AOTA. 

The variety of historical fair events includes a Rat Creek Bike Race for kids that was held in Norwood in the 1940s, a pie baking competition, a preserve contest, dunk tanks, children’s carnival games, a funky hair contest, and an old-fashioned style pancake breakfast. 

“It’ll be that really nice, old-timey kind of feel,” says Morin. 

Local musicians from McCauley and the greater Alberta Avenue area will be playing at the event, and artists or other makers will have vendor tables with goods available for purchase. 

There is no admission fee for the event, but some of the events are “Toonie Events,” callbacks to old fair events, which cost a toonie to enter. Some refreshments will also be available for a toonie. 

Morin says that AOTA decided to host the event because of the crime in the area around 111 Avenue and the difficulties it created for residents. 

“Arts on the Ave has been working… trying to find safety and beautification and life and vibrancy down in those communities further north of the [Alberta Avenue] district,” adds Morin. “And so, we were really inspired and motivated to help out because of the crime and what was happening in that area.” 

Event organizers ask that participants bike, walk, or take transit to the event instead of driving to keep the fair as pedestrian friendly as possible. Participants are also encouraged to decorate their bikes to build enthusiasm for the old-timey spirit of the fair. 

For more information about different events and happenings at the event, visit artsontheave.org/norwoodfair.