Harriston-Minto Agricultral Society set to celebrate 168th fall fair

MINTO – The Harriston-Minto Agricultural Society’s Fall Fair returns for its 168th year from Sept. 18 to 20.

This year’s theme is Harvest Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses –one past ag society president Jackie Scholten said reflects the challenges farmers face during harvest and the “amazing” pumpkins grown in the fall.

“We have lots of great things in store for you as always,” said current society president Gord South in the 2026 fair guide.

“Mixing agriculture with community involvement serves us both well. Town and country working together educates and entertains us all and strengthens our community spirit.”

The fair runs Sept 18. from 6 to 10pm, Sept. 19 from 10am to 6pm, and Sept. 20 from 10am to 7pm. Admission is $5 for Friday and Saturday and $10 for Sunday. A $20 weekend pass is available for anyone 13 and older. Children under 13 get in free.

Gates open Sept. 18 at 6pm, with live music from Ella and Ivy on the arena floor at the Harriston-Minto Arena Complex (111 George St. S.), and an exhibit hall and children’s village running until 10pm.

Opening ceremonies begin at 8pm on the Friday, followed by a ham and loin auction of cuts from top hog carcasses, judged previously at Harriston Packing Co., and auctioning of first-place pies from culinary arts submissions. It’s the society’s largest fundraiser, Scholten said.

On Sept. 19, a light horse show begins at 10am at the grandstands. A chainsaw carver will be outside the arena at 9:30am. A baby show is set to take place at 10:30am in the auditorium.

The fair’s traditional parade is set to depart Speare Seeds on John Street at noon on the Saturday (following a line-up at 11am). The parade route may be moved onto George Street rather than Elora Street because of construction. Currently the route runs: Louise Street, south on Elora, left on Young Street and to the arena.

There are 12 classes in the parade, ranging from best decorated bicycle to best collector tractor. Parade registration closes Sept. 12, though last-minute entries on the day of the parade will be accepted.

In the afternoon, Chuck the Ukulele Guy is set to perform at 1pm, followed by a horse pull and dog show at 2pm, and a foam party outside the arena at 4pm.

An 8am breakfast opens the day on Sept. 20, followed by a soap box derby at 9am downtown. The soap box derby divisions include junior (ages 6 to 8), intermediate (ages 9 to 13) and senior (14 and up).

A car show will take over the arena parking lot at 10am, there’s a church service scheduled for 10:30am, and a pedal tractor pull begins at noon.

In the afternoon, a beef show and the North Wellington 4-H Interclub Beef Show takes place at 12:30pm, lawnmower races are set for 2:30pm, and a beef and pork barbecue begins at 4:30pm.

A silent auction, closing at 6pm, concludes the fair weekend.

Around 200 exhibition entries across 18 categories in adult and youth divisions are expected, with many displayed in the fair’s exhibit hall – everything from field crops to artwork.

Some of the competition classes are uniquely peculiar, including a finished (but previously unfinished) quilt including a story about why it got left behind and what prompted finishing it, and a pumpkin decorated to resemble a prominent local resident.

The “Failed it” category, featuring failed baking entries, returns this year after a successful first run in 2025 with 12 entries. Entrants note what the creation was supposed to be, and each gets a consolation prize. 

Scholten said the judges like the category and the mishaps can be quite funny. 

“Sometimes you don’t want to taste it,” she said.

“I hope people just have fun.”

Entries can be filed online through AssistExpo, or brought to the arena on the evenings of Sept. 17 between 6 and 8pm, or the morning of Sept. 18 between 8 and 11am.

Scholten said some entries can be submitted the evening of Sept. 16, and that someone will be in the arena office starting the Tuesday of fair week. The exhibitor fee is $5, and junior classes are free.

Despite having no entries last year, a barbecue and smoke category is returning because more people seem to be buying smokers.

Barbecue and smoked entries can be dropped off Sept. 17 from 6 to 8pm and on Sept. 18 from 9am to 11:30am, according to Scholten.

“As soon as the fair is over, we’re literally starting to plan … for the following year,” she said. 

The fair takes around 40 volunteers to pull off, including an 18-member board, Scholten explained.

“They’re always dependable and reliable,” she said of the group.

The fair, running since 1859, gives the community something to look forward to on the third weekend of September each year, Scholten said.

“We bring a sense of community … it’s always a fun weekend to enjoy with your family and your friends.”

Scholten extended a “big ‘thank you’” to the community for its continued support of the fair. 

“I hope to see everybody at this year’s fair.”