Fergus ambassador, display winners, lifetime members announced
FERGUS – The Fergus Agricultural Society is celebrating the people who help make the Fergus Fall Fair and the agricultural society itself such an important part of the community, with several announcements recognizing leadership, creativity and decades of volunteer service.
The Fergus Agricultural Society announced in a press release that the 2026/27 Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador is Emma Vervoort, of Fergus.
Runner-up is Mikayla Kent following the Fergus Agricultural Society’s annual ambassador competition on Sept. 13.
Vervoort is in her second year of the welding engineering inspection program at Conestoga College.
Officials say she is active in the Centre Wellington community as a member of the Eramosa 4-H Dairy Club, a skating instructor for the Elora Skating Club, and volunteers framing houses for Habitat for Humanity.
In the year-long role, Vervoort will represent the Fergus Agricultural Society and Fergus Fall Fair at community events throughout the year, as well as at events and programs organized by the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies and other agricultural organizations.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Emma Vervoort to the Fergus Agricultural Society family,” stated vice president Dillon Bernier.
“The ambassador program is an important opportunity to recognize young people who are passionate about their community, agriculture and the Fergus Fall Fair.”
Bale and Community Display competition winners announced
The Fergus Agricultural Society is also pleased to recognize this year’s winners of its Bale and Community Display competitions, which bring creativity and community spirit to the fairgrounds.
Bale display winners include:
– CountrySense, first place;
– Ferrier’s Farm Stand, second place;
– Grand Floral, third place; and
– I Love Chocolate, fourth place.
Community display winners include:
– Karl Herrlinger family, first place;
– Tayler-Wing family, second place;
– Barrie Lindsay and family, third place
– Gonzobbins, fourth place;
– Hugh Lindsay and family, fifth place; and
– Hilloch Farms, sixth place.
The annual competitions encourage local businesses, organizations, community groups and residents to bring the spirit of the fair beyond the gates and into the surrounding community.
For more information about the display competitions, visit fergusfallfair.ca.
Longtime volunteers named lifetime members
The Fergus Agricultural Society is also recognizing three individuals whose exceptional commitment and service have helped strengthen the organization and the Fergus Fall Fair for decades.
Lifetime membership is a reserved class of membership for individuals who have contributed exceptional time, effort and work, in their own way, to improve the organization and who, whenever possible and as able, have helped the society regardless of their role.
Doug Jefferson
Doug Jefferson has been part of the Fergus Agricultural Society for decades, continuing a longtime family tradition of volunteering at the Fair.
He joined the organization’s board of directors in 1985 and served as president in 1991 and 1992.
Jefferson has volunteered for many years with the truck and tractor pulls and continues to help with fair set-up and tear-down.
He was also among a group of local farmers who stepped up to provide behind-the-scenes help when the agricultural society lost a longtime youth volunteer group.
Sandra Howatt
Sandra Howatt has been actively involved with the Fergus Agricultural Society since 1982. She began as a youth section committee chair, joined the board in 1985 and later served on several committees, including advertising and publicity, ambassador and entertainment.
Howatt served as president of women’s homecraft from 1988 to 1990 and remains actively involved with fair entertainment today. She has also been helping organize entertainment at the fair for approximately 35 years.
For more than 40 years, her commitment to the fair has also inspired generations of her family, including her granddaughter Sarah, who was named Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador last year, officials say.
Paul Howatt
Paul Howatt’s involvement with the Fergus Fall Fair also began in 1982 and also spans more than 40 years. Much of his work has taken place behind the scenes, including helping at the pull track, coordinating and installing lights, and transporting penning to and from the Grand River Agricultural Society.
Howatt has always been someone the agricultural society can count on, officials say, consistently stepping up with quiet dedication and a strong work ethic.
He has always been someone the agricultural society can call when help is needed, always showing up with quiet dedication and hard work, they added.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize Doug Jefferson, Sandra Howatt and Paul Howatt as Lifetime Members of the Fergus Agricultural Society,” says Bernier.
“Each of them has given so much of their time, energy and expertise to the organization and the Fergus Fall Fair over many years.
“Their dedication, reliability and willingness to step up and help have made a lasting difference, and we are grateful for everything they have contributed to our organization and our community.”
The 189th Fergus Fall Fair is this weekend, Sept. 18 to 20, at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex.
This year’s fair will once again bring together the best of agriculture, entertainment, competition, food, family activities and community spirit, continuing a tradition that has been part of the Fergus community for nearly two centuries, officials say.
Fairgoers can look forward to a full lineup of agricultural exhibits and competitions, live entertainment, truck and tractor pulls, and family activities.
New this year, fairgoers can meet Pearl, the first-ever Fergus Fall Fair mascot. A one-tonne horse who stands over six feet tall, Pearl will be greeting visitors all weekend long, providing a unique meeting and photo opportunity.
This year’s fair also features midway rides, livestock and agricultural displays, and family activities. For more information, including the full schedule and event details, visit fergusfallfair.ca.
