ABERFOYLE – Residents and visitors alike are gearing up for the highly anticipated 181st Aberfoyle Fall Fair, an annual event that embodies the spirit of community, agriculture, and entertainment.
Scheduled to take place Sept. 8 and 9, this year’s fair promises to be a memorable experience for attendees of all ages.
The Aberfoyle Fall Fair has been a cornerstone of Puslinch Township’s culture for decades, showcasing the region’s rich agricultural heritage and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among its residents.
The fairgrounds, transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, will feature a variety of attractions that highlight both rural traditions and modern entertainment.
Joanne Holt, second vice president for the fair, said this year’s slogan is “Welcome friends and neighbours.”
“We’re hoping some of the international people will come – new immigrants… so they can have an understanding of Canadian agriculture, and maybe give us an idea of what agriculture is like in their countries,” Holt said.
Despite ongoing construction, the fairgrounds will be located on Brock Road at the Puslinch Community Center.
“The township decided to redo the recreational grounds, which started in June, so we’ve been scrambling to find out what we can do and what we can’t,” said Holt.
“The rumours around the village have been that we aren’t having a fair, but we are, we’re having a great fair – we’re just focused in smaller areas.”
When asked how many people she thought would attend this year’s event Holt joked, “Millions!”
At the heart of the Fall Fair is a celebration of agriculture. The event provides local farmers and growers with a platform to showcase their finest produce, livestock, and craftsmanship. Attendees can shop and peruse the Saturday farmer’s market or participate in a vegetable race car competition.
“Potatoes, zucchinis, carrots – anything you can use to build a race car,” Holt said.
As a new event to the fair, there will be brief demonstrations and smaller heats when it comes to race time. While mainly for fun, the event will also shed light on the hard work and dedication of those who contribute to the region’s agricultural success.
Beyond agriculture, the fair offers an array of entertainment that promises to keep attendees engaged. Guests can expect a live wrestling show, 4-H Sheep show, Saturday Hall exhibits and competitions, bouncy castles, petting zoo, food wagons, kids train rides and much more.
Holt encourages everyone, regardless of age to “come and participate in Aberfoyle activities.”
As a result of the construction on-site, the antique tractor pull and the hunter and jumper horse show have been cancelled. The ATV pull, however will go forward as planned.
Admission is $10 for adults on Friday, $15 Saturday, and children are free. Bringing lawn chairs for the wrestling and other outdoor events is encouraged.
Guests are asked to bring cash as there is no electronic payment on the grounds. An ATM will be in the market until 3pm Saturday.
For more information and to view the full schedule, visit the Aberfoyle agricultural society website or ontariofairs.com.
