ABERFOYLE – The Aberfoyle Fall Fair is getting ready to rumble.
The 183rd edition of the fair is bringing back wrestling and has dubbed it the “Aberfoyle Rumble,” said fair president Vinnie Klimkosz.
“It was a huge hit last year so we’re bringing it back,” Klimkosz said. “We hope people will check it out.”
The Aberfoyle Fall Fair runs Sept. 5 and 6 inside and on the grounds of the Puslinch Community Centre, and despite the rumble moniker, this year’s theme is “Join us for fun at our country fair.”
And Aberfoyle has all the events and attractions you’d expect at a country fair, plus a few unexpected events, like the wrestling.
Friday night at the fair is about the antique tractor pull and entertainment, and wrestling is a very entertaining, family-friendly event, Klimkosz said.
The gates open at 5pm and wrestling happens from 7 to 9pm in the ball diamond.
Bring your own camping chair for a show the whole family can enjoy, he said.
Musical entertainment is ongoing, and while the buildings are closed on Friday for judging of the homecraft contests, there are food trucks, bouncy castles and the antique tractor pull that starts at 7pm as well.
Saturday is the “main” fair day and it’s jam-packed with action: children’s races, bouncy castles and games hosted by Puslinch Minor Ball and the Aberfoyle Public School parent council.
There will be face painting, an agricultural awareness scavenger hunt, a mini planetarium, and kids can even build a zucchini car and race it against others.
New this year a stuffed animal contest. This is for fair-goers under 16 years old and there are several categories, including chubbiest stuffed animal, best Halloween costume, and the most loved stuffed animal. This is where the threadbare Teddy bear could win some prizes.
A full list of categories can be found in the 2025 fair book. Judging takes place at the gazebo beside the playground at 2:45pm.
Saturday holds the garden tractor and ATV pulls, which are very popular, Klimkosz said. Weigh-in starts at 2:30pm and the pulls starts at 4pm.
There’s a pet show, numerous displays and prizes for the best grain, roots and hay, vegetables, homecrafts, photography, and junior and preschool exhibits.
Those entering in those competitions should give the fair book a close read as there are specific rules for the different competitions, including sizes, the way things must be displayed, and what’s eligible and what’s not.
What’s a foam party? Good clean fun from the looks of it. A foam party will be part of festivities at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair this year.
All items for the homecraft division competitions must be tagged and delivered to the fairgrounds by 5pm on Friday. Drop-offs can take place on Thursday as well. Judging takes place Friday evening.
The entries are on display throughout the day on Saturday and can be picked up between 4:45 and 5:15pm.
It’s usually local residents who enter their jams, syrups, baking, canning, quilting and other needlecraft entries in these contests – and when among neighbours, bragging rights are meaningful.
And now even the wee ones can enter the contest. This year’s there’s a new toddler class for children under age three.
Sections they can enter include fingerpainting, a design using crayons and nature items displayed in a plastic bag.
Klimkosz said organizers are trying to keep the costs down for visitors and are therefore offering family day passes for $35 (two adults and two children). Admission for those aged 13 and older is $15; children 7 to 12 are $5 and children 6 and under get in for free.
He also stressed the need for volunteers – not just on fair weekend but throughout the year, as it takes a lot of planning to pull it off year after year.
Visit sites.google.com/view/aberfoyleagriculturalsociety/home and click on the 2025 fair book for details on entering contests, or the schedule of events for an easy look at what’s happening over the weekend.
