Dunchurch Fall Fair

“August 15 – 16, 2025 – Celebrating Community Since 1888!“

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled country celebration as the 2025 Dunchurch Fall Fair returns on August 15th and 16th, 2025! Organized by a fair society proudly established in 1888, this beloved rural tradition continues to bring together families, farmers, and fairgoers for a weekend packed with agriculture, entertainment, and classic fair fun.

With a rich heritage spanning more than 135 years, the Dunchurch Fall Fair combines the best of old-fashioned charm and lively modern-day thrills. Whether you’re cheering on a tractor pull, enjoying live music, or sampling the baking in the Homecraft Hall, this is truly a fair for all ages.

Exciting Events & Family Entertainment

The weekend kicks off with the ever-popular Parade, where colourful floats, vintage tractors, local organizations, and costumed characters march through the village, spreading smiles and fair spirit. Once the parade ends, the real fun begins!

Families will love the Children’s Games and Magic Shows, offering laughs, wonder, and plenty of prizes for young fairgoers. The Midway adds even more energy, with rides, carnival games, and classic fair snacks to keep everyone spinning, laughing, and snacking all afternoon long.

Agricultural Showcases & Homegrown Heritage

At its heart, the Dunchurch Fall Fair remains a proud celebration of agriculture and local craftsmanship.

• The Livestock Shows spotlight the region’s finest cattle and farm animals, where local farmers and 4-H members proudly present their hard work.
• In the Homecraft Exhibits, visitors can admire an impressive variety of handmade quilts, baked goods, jams, crafts, and more, all lovingly created by community members.

Horse Power, Pulling Power & Derby Action

Spectators looking for big thrills and friendly competition won’t want to miss the action in the main ring:

• The Pony Pull and Heavy Horse Draw showcase the incredible strength and grace of working horses in a true test of teamwork and might.
• The Tractor Pull roars to life with power and grit as competitors battle it out for bragging rights.
• And to top it off, the always electrifying Demolition Derby delivers a metal-crunching, mud-slinging good time as cars smash and crash their way through the evening!

Live Music, Pony Rides & Beer Garden Vibes

Throughout the fair, enjoy Live Music from local performers, adding the perfect soundtrack to your weekend. Young cowpokes will love the Pony Rides, while adults can relax and catch up with friends in the lively Beer Garden, where good cheer flows as freely as the conversation.

Celebrate the Best of Fall Fair Traditions

With its welcoming community spirit, rich agricultural roots, and action-packed lineup of events, the 2025 Dunchurch Fall Fair promises to be one of the highlights of the season. Join us August 15th and 16th for two unforgettable days of fun, friendship, and fall fair magic!

History of the Dunchurch Fall Fair

Provincial recognition was given by the government of Ontario in 1889. According to minutes found in an attic, by Mr.

Thomas Johnson, this Society was formed in 1888. The minutes go on to tell us that there were 59 members that year and

that membership was $1.00 (this fee was to continue for many, many years).

The fair has usually been held on the grounds, first known as Kelcey Hall and now Hagerman Community Centre. In

1982, while the current Hall was under construction, thanks to the generosity of the Township and Royal Canadian Legion

Branch 394, the 1982 fair was held on Balsam Road.

The Dunchurch Agricultural Fair was held around the 20th of September until 1968 or 1969 when the Board decided to

brave the wrath of habit and move the Fair date to two weeks before Labour Day Weekend. This drastic move

eliminated (most of the time) the frost damage usually dealt to the flower and vegetable exhibits. It also allowed another

segment of our community to become involved; those people who have a summer home here. One particular event that is

remembered is the birth of “Fairin Dunchurch 99″, a calf born to one of Gord and Alanna Stewart’s cows at the 1988 fair,

one year before our 100th Celebration.

School participation was a big part of the Fairs that were held in September. There was a school fair in which the children

from the different schools in the area competed, as well as the School Fair Parade. Almost every local family from that era

has pictures of the children in the parades and a few of the participants may even remember the school yells that took

place after the homemade banners were marched onto the grounds.

Many, many people have been board members over the years, each one of them giving to the community a lot of time and

energy in their commitment to the Agricultural Fair. One such individual was Lillian Bell who not only served as a

director for many years but was an exhibitor for 86 years and in 2003 she was the winner of the ‘Most Points in Quilts’

award. Lillian passed away on August 18, 2003 just two days after the fair. Most recently, Waity Croswell broke Lillian

Bell’s record, having exhibited consistently since 1931.