ERIN – One of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs is celebrating a landmark anniversary this year.
The 175th Erin Fall Fair, themed “175 years – best in show,” is slated for Oct. 10 to 13 at the Erin fairgrounds.
To celebrate 175 years, the Erin Agricultural Society and fair committee will host events throughout the spring and summer leading up to the fair.
“There’s been a series of events, really since early winter,” said fair committee member Bridget Ryan.
The fair will host an already-sold-out wild west murder mystery dinner on June 7.
Officials say attendees can expect a night of drama, entertainment and a good meal at the fairgrounds.
July parade, family event
There will be a tractor and working vehicle parade on July 5.
It will begin at 10am at the Hillsburgh Victoria Park and go to the fairgrounds, where a free family celebration will take place until 4pm.
“There’ll be pony rides, face painting, food vendors, farmers market, and a 4-H beef demonstration show,” said Ryan.
The celebration event will also feature live performances by Tom Bishop, who will be performing horse tricks and whip cracking, as well as a special show from the Fergus Pipe Band and a group of fiddlers.
The fair is still accepting tractors and vehicles for the parade and organizers hope to have a total of 175 vehicles participate.
The fall fair
The main fair, which will take place over the Thanksgiving weekend, will transform the Erin fairgrounds into a hub of activity and entertainment.
Attendees can look forward to:
- horse and livestock shows;
- tractor, truck, and horse pulls;
- two days of demolition derby action;
- mini-modified truck and lawn/garden tractor pulls;
- a special 175-themed Homecraft competition;
- midway rides by Robertson Amusements;
- Farmers Olympics and pedal pulls;
- agricultural awareness exhibits;
- live music; and
- local food, including the fair’s iconic apple dumplings.
The event will also feature a special exhibit of fair photos from years past. The exhibit will be provided in partnership with the Wellington County Museum and Archives and Wellington Advertiser.
For more information, visit erinfair.com.
