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It's Our Heritage... Since the 1840's - "Get your Boots to the Roots"

Orillia has one of the longer running outdoor markets in Ontario.  In the early days, there was a busy trade in hay, firewood, chickens, geese, milk and pigs as well as the ever popular farm produce and baked goods that are still the mainstay on our bustling market today.

The following information is taken from "Market Memories" written by Mrs. Ethel (Dunlop) Fagan, a longtime and fondly remembered Orillia Farmers' Market vendor.

• Previous to 1867, the market square was bounded by the present Tecumseth, Laclie, Canice and Brant streets.
• 1867 - Orillia was incorporated as a village and market meetings were held in the Temperance Society Hall on Matchedash Street. 
• Mr. Goldwin Smith, a former lawyer in Orillia, offered to donate two lots to the rear of Lot 1 on the Cameron survey for a market. With these two lots, and the $1,000 for selling the old market square, the farmers bought Lot 1. 
• Controversy - the farmers wanted a market with stalls and sheds. The village council wanted a town hall. The council won.  
• 1884 - Municipal Hall built on West Street. This hall was demolished in the 1960's. 
• 1885 - a market shed was constructed of wood. 
• 1887 - a proposal was made to replace the shed with a new structure to become the Orillia Opera House. 
• 1895 - Completion of the Orillia Opera House and vendors took possession of the market square. 
• 1910 - Fire damaged the Opera House. 
• 1917 - Opera House repaired and re-opened.

Since the late 1990's, Market management has been overseen by a Management Committee appointed by Council. In 2020, the Market moved under management of the City of Orillia along with support from the Farmers' Market Advisory Committee. Currently, the membership consists of three 'citizen-at-large' representatives, three representatives from among the Market vendors, and one City Council member. 

The Orillia Farmers' Market is self-sustaining and operates from stall fees generated from its vendors.

Current members:

• Shawna Balik (Chair), Citizen Representative 
• Kristine Hoysa, Citizen Representative 
• Kathy Webb, Market Vendor  
• Luke Hewitt, Market Vendor 
• Laurie Neill, Market Vendor 
• David Campbell, City Council Member 

Meetings of the Farmers' Market Advisory Committee are held the second Thursday of the month at the Orillia City Centre.

For further information please visit our Committee Page >>

We attempt to make our website documents accessible.  However, some of these documents may not be completely meet AODA accessible requirements.  If you require assistance or communication supports, please contact us at 705-238-7955.