FERGUS – Hosted by the Fergus Agricultural Society, the Fergus Fall Fair will be returning for its 186th celebration.
The fair, one of the oldest in the province, aims to showcase local agriculture and bring the community together each September.
This year, the event will run Sept. 15 to 17 at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
The fair will include over 760 competitions to showcase local talent and exhibitors can enter categories in culinary arts, photography, handicraft, flowers, vegetables, and many more.
Rebecca Hannam, director of the Fergus Agricultural Society, said that last year was the society’s biggest fair yet in terms of attendance.
“Our data indicates from 2022 that over 14,000 people visited the fair,” she said. “We’re hopeful that people had a good time last year, and decide to come back.”
Hannam noted the community has grown quite a bit, and she recognizes many new residents have never been to the fair. She hopes the agricultural society will be able to reach those newcomers as well.
Friday
Beginning at 5pm on Sept. 15, the Fergus Fall Fair will kick off its weekend with the opening of the beverage garden, as well as the farm market tent.
The tent is making only its second appearance this year at the fair. The agricultural society brings in products from local farms and businesses, and sells them on their behalf so the individuals do not have to spend their entire weekend at the fair.
At 6pm the Georgian Triangle Amusements (GTA) Midway will open along with axe throwing, which is a new event this year.
The tractor pull will begin at 6:30pm and the exhibit hall and shed will open at 7pm and close at 9pm.
Saturday
Full of old and new activities, the fair will begin at 9am on the Saturday (Sept. 16).
Some of the events in the morning will include a 4-H beef cattle show, more axe throwing, a Diamonds in the Ruff dog show, and Canadian Raptor Conservancy display.
The afternoon will follow up with an open dairy cattle show, open beef cattle show, sheep shearing, cheerleaders, Cutting Edge Cowgirls, a farm animal tent, farm food fun tent, a toddler farmyard, touch-a-tractor and several more activities.
The beverage garden will open once again at 5pm, and a mini modified and truck pull will begin at 6pm.
Building hours are 9am to 9pm.
Sunday
Doors open at 8:30am on the last day of the fair with a 4-H sheep show.
Activities on Sept. 17 will include: a farm market tent show, heavy horse show, classic car show, free axe throwing, an appearance by the Royal City Square Dancers, a baby show, cookie decorating, and other fun events as well.
Since Sunday is the last day of the fair, those who entered in the exhibits are asked to gather their entries between 4 and 5pm.
Building hours are 9am to 4pm for the public.
New events
The midway — The midway at the Fergus Fall Fair was a hit with many youngsters last year, but there will be changes for this year’s fair. All midway rides at the fair are run by Georgian Triangle Amusements, and there are expected to be 10 rides including: Ferris wheel, Starship 2000, Himalaya, Harvest Swirl, Go Gator, Kiddie Elephant, Kiddie Ferris Wheel, Kiddie Carousel, Kiddie Train, Nascar Hampton Cars and two inflatables. An “All-Access Pass” ($30) or tickets ($5 each or 5 for $20) can be purchased at the fair. There are no pre-sale bracelets available this year.
Along with the classic fall fair events that community members have enjoyed over the years, the Fergus Fall Fair will welcome some new events for this year’s fair including:
– Canadian Raptor Conservancy with three shows on Saturday;
– Cutting Edge Cowgirls with two shows on Saturday;
– Krusher BMX will be doing two shows on Sunday; and
– free axe throwing (ages 12 and up) all weekend long.
There has also been a change regarding the midway, with rides run by GTA.
Hannam told the Advertiser fair officials are expecting 10 rides at the midway this year: a Ferris wheel, Starship 2000, Himalaya, Harvest Swirl, Go Gator, Kiddie Elephant, Kiddie Ferris Wheel, Kiddie Carousel, Kiddie Train and Nascar Hampton Cars; as well as two inflatables: Ferris Wheel Combo and Corn Maze.
An “all-access pass” for the midway is available for $30 or tickets can be purchased at the fair for $5 each or five for $20. There are no pre-sale bracelets available this year.
Admission to the fair is $30 for a weekend pass, $10 for adult single admission, $15 for adult single evening admission, $8 for single admission for youths aged 13 to 18 and $4 for those aged six to 12. Children aged five and under get in for free.
For a full list of the fair itinerary visit fergusfallfair.ca.
Volunteers are still needed. For those interested, there is a sign-up form on the website, and submissions are checked regularly.
