🐄 The Story of Winchester Dairyfest

Winchester Dairyfest was established in 1988 in Winchester, Ontario. It began when a small committee of local merchants came together to create a celebration for Winchester’s Centennial year.

One of the key people behind the festival was Joel Steele, remembered as one of Dairyfest’s founding fathers. He helped establish the celebration and continued his involvement until Dairyfest was firmly rooted as an annual Winchester tradition.

What began as a centennial celebration grew into something much bigger: an annual summer festival celebrating community, local businesses, rural life and Winchester’s connection to the dairy industry. Dairyfest became an event residents could look forward to each August. A 1995 Winchester Press supplement, for example, advertised Dairyfest ’95 for August 10–13, showing that the festival was already well established only seven years after it began.

The tradition continued to grow. Dairyfest celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018, and its 35th year in 2023. Today, the festival continues to bring together activities for children and adults, entertainment, vendors, food, community organizations and celebrations of Winchester’s agricultural roots.

Importantly, Dairyfest has also become a way of giving back to Winchester. Funds raised through the festival have supported community projects and organizations.