Glengarry Pioneer Museum Harvest Fall Festival 2026
Sunday September 13,2026
This year, Harvest Fall Festival visitors will once again be treated to the sound of horse hooves when our popular Horse Parade returns. One of the largest equestrian events of its kind in Eastern Ontario, the Quigley Highlanders will lead the procession. It gets underway at 1:00 pm. Rain or shine, the Harvest Fall Festival is a delightful experience for young and old alike. Please leave your dogs at home and no smoking on the museum grounds.
Highlights include:
- Harvest Sale tent with home baking, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit, vegetables, plants and more
- Demonstrations of blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, apple pressing and other pioneer skills
- Vintage farm machinery brought back to life
- Local artisans explaining their crafts
- Cow Pie 50/50 raffle (noon & 2:00)
- Musical entertainment all day
- Supervised children’s activities (crafts all day & relay games at 11am & 2:30pm)
- Hot food, cold drinks and homemade pie
- Star Inn bar serving beer from Lost Villages Brewery & Stonehouse Vineyard onsite.
- Rooster Crowing Contest and judging. Please bring your prized rooster to the pavilion no later than noon on the day of the event. The judging is at 2:15. Roosters must come in a cage with food and water. Prizes courtesy of Alexandria Milling.
Admission is $12 per person ($6 for museum members and students aged 5 – 17). Special family rate is $30 ($15 for member families). Children four and under are free. To streamline admissions, we encourage you to purchase your ticket online. The “Cow Pie 50/50 Raffle” is back again this year. This event has been so popular that two draws will be held this year: one around noon and the other at 2:00.
OTHER HAPPENINGS: Glengarry Pioneer Museum War of 1812 Weekend 2026
Saturday September 26 – 27, 2026
Travel Back in time for the annual War of 1812 weekend. You will get glimpses of early life in Upper Canada as the buildings and grounds become animated with costumed interpreters and reenactors. Fun for the whole family!
The weekend will feature various heritage trade demonstrations as well as local artisan vendors. Food will be available for purchase on site. Admission tickets can be purchased online. Cash, debit and credit will still be accepted at the gates. We can’t wait to see you!
Summary of activities:
Interact with costumed interpreters.
Historic trade demonstrations such as rope making, blacksmithing, spinning, leather working, cooking over open fires, etc.
Shop in “Suttler’s Row” with many interesting vendors.
Children’s activities – dress-up, old-fashioned games, crafts, scheduled military muster for kids, etc.
Star Inn Tavern open for business selling local brews, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
Guest speaker – TBD
1812 Military battle demonstration each afternoon. 3pm Saturday. 2pm Sunday.
Museum hosts a busy summer programming schedule from live music to historical talks on the telegraph and railway history.
There is something to interest all ages scheduled at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum this July and August.
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Free family movies under the stars are happening on two different evenings. The hilarious ‘80s movie The Goonies is playing on Friday, July 17th and Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller is the featured film on August 7. Both movies start at dusk – 8:30 pm on July 17th. Just bring a lawn chair and blanket and the museum provides the popcorn!
WORKSHOPS
“Try-It” Workshops range from watercolour painting, rug hooking, and card making, to building a twig garden trellis or “barn quilt painting”. All “Try-It” workshops happen on either a Saturday or Sunday and last 2-3 hours. They require no prior knowledge and are suitable for ages 12+. Individual prices and registration details can be found on the museum’s website: www.glengarrypioneermuseum.ca
“It has been the goal of the museum for some time to allow visitors a chance to not just watch others demonstrate, but actually try things themselves” says Curator, Jennifer Black.
Mornings at the Museum for Kids is a mix between a kids camp and workshop series designed for ages 6 to 12 year olds. Drop your kids off for the morning, between 8:30 and 1:00 pm and our staff and guest instructors will guide the kids through 30 minute activity stations, fun games, and even ice cream making. Each morning is different. There are two days in July (Thurs. & Fri. July23-24) and two in August (Thurs. Aug. 27-28). Registration is also through the museum’s website: www.glengarrypioneermuseum.ca
SCOTTISH CEILDH
What’s a Ceildh, you ask? Live, toe-tapping Celtic music performed by Paddy Kelly and his band Stewart’s Glen, happening in the Williams’ Pavilion on the museum grounds on Saturday, July 25 from 5:00 – 10:00 pm. Admission is a suggested donation of $25/person. Food like sausage on a bun, Scotch Eggs and homemade pies are on the menu, not to mention a bar. Cash and card will both be accepted. All proceeds from this event will go towards operating the War of 1812 education day in September where close to 300 local grade 7 & 8 students visit the museum with up to 20 different themed activity stations.
GUEST SPEAKER – TELEGRAPH & RAIL HISTORY
Sunday, July 26 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm, local historian, Graeme Roy will share his now rare ability to communicate by telegraph, as it was taught to him by his father, growing up near the railway station in Cardinal. Roy will also share old photographs and information on train stations in Glengarry. Roy is a retired teacher and excellent speaker. Admission is by donation.
ART SHOW
The Glengarry Artists’ Collective will host an art show in the museum’s one-room schoolhouse from August 8 to 23. A vernissage with the artists will take place on Saturday, August 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. After 10 years, the collective is coming to an end, making this its final show.
WHERE IS THE MUSEUM?
The Glengarry Pioneer Museum is located at the intersection of County Roads 24 and 30 in Dunvegan. To plan your visit or learn more about any programs, go to their website: www.GlengarryPioneerMuseum.ca, find them on Facebook or Instagram, or contact Jennifer Black at 613-527-5230.
Please check their Website for MORE Experiences waiting for you … Museum Workshops ~ Morning at the Museum KIDS ~ Harvest Fall Festival in September ~ War of 1812 Weekend September ~ Halloween Hunt October and Dunvegan Christmas Market in November to name a few.
Glengarry Pioneer Museum, 1645 County Rd. 30 Dunvegan, Ontario
Website: https://glengarrypioneermuseum.ca/
Ontario Visited does NOT operate, organize, host, or manage any events or activities.
