Great Northern Exhibition
“September 19 – 21, 2025 – “Blue Jeans & Country Dreams!“
The 2025 Great Northern Exhibition (GNE) is set to take place from September 19 to 21, 2025, at the GNE Fairgrounds, located at 2220 Fairgrounds Road North, Clearview Township, Ontario. Established in 1855, this cherished fair celebrates its 170th year, offering a delightful mix of agricultural showcases, family-friendly entertainment, and community spirit. (Great Northern Exhibition)
Agricultural Showcases and Livestock Exhibits
Agriculture remains at the heart of the fair. The 4-H Open Show highlights the dedication of young farmers and the quality of livestock in the region. Visitors can explore a variety of livestock exhibits, including poultry, rabbits, and waterfowl, showcasing the diversity of farm animals. These exhibits celebrate the agricultural arts that have been a staple of the fair since its inception. (Great Northern Exhibition)
Equine Events and Competitions
Equestrian enthusiasts can look forward to the Heavy & Mini Horse Shows, Light Horse & Pony Classes, and Horse Pulling Competitions, each demonstrating the grace and strength of these magnificent animals. Additionally, the Welsh Ponies, English, and Western Horse Shows offer a variety of performances for attendees. These events are favorites among visitors, highlighting the power and skill involved in these traditional fair activities. (Great Northern Exhibition)
Homecrafts and Agricultural Exhibits
Inside the exhibition halls, visitors can explore an array of Homecraft Displays, showcasing local talents in quilting, arts, and crafts. The Junior Fair provides a platform for young artisans to present their work. Agricultural exhibits featuring fruits and vegetables, grains/seeds, and plants/flowers highlight the region’s rich farming heritage and innovations. These exhibits celebrate the domestic arts that have been a staple of the fair since its inception. (Great Northern Exhibition)
Live Entertainment and Cultural Events
Evenings at the fair are filled with lively entertainment. The Fiddle and Step Dance Contest showcases traditional music and dance, providing a festive atmosphere that invites attendees to celebrate. Throughout the fair, various acts ensure continuous enjoyment for all visitors. These performances add to the vibrant and communal spirit of the event.
Special Attractions and Midway Fun
Adding excitement to the fair, the Truck and Tractor Pulls promise high-octane thrills as participants compete in tests of endurance and strategy. The Demolition Derby offers a unique and entertaining competition for attendees. These events are favorites among visitors, highlighting the power and skill involved in these traditional fair activities. The Midway provides interactive and educational experiences for younger attendees, with traditional fair games and rides offering fun and competition for children. These activities provide engaging experiences for children and families alike.
Join the Celebration
The 2025 Great Northern Exhibition offers a rich tapestry of events and exhibits that honor the area’s agricultural heritage and community spirit. Whether you’re a long-time attendee or a first-time visitor, the fair provides an opportunity to connect with the traditions that have shaped Clearview Township. Mark your calendars for September 19 to 21, and be part of this cherished celebration at the GNE Fairgrounds.
History of the Great Northern Exhibition (GNE)
Our fair started out on property in Duntroon in 1855, later moving to Collingwood and since 1984, on Fairgrounds Road in Clearview Township. One of the Anniversary projects was establishing a plaque, at each of the locations with a brief History of the time spent at each. All this and more will be available for easy reading in the GNE History Book, researched and compiled by Marie Cruikshank, edited by Dan Needles and available for sale.
To mark it’s 150th anniversary, the Collingwood Agricultural Society published Come to the Fair a history of the GNE from its beginnings in 1855 to the present day.
The author is local writer and library archivist, Marie Cruickshank. After many hours searching through newspaper archives, correspondence and municipal records, Marie has written a lively and readable account of one of Canada’s oldest continuous fall fairs, from its humble beginnings in the fall celebrations held in Nottawasaga Township in pioneer days, through the Collingwood years (1883 to 1983), to the move in 1984 to new quarters in Clearview Township and the modern facilities it enjoys today.
It is an engaging story, featuring colourful characters, disastrous fires, keen municipal rivalries and spirited public debate as the volunteers strive to keep the organization dynamic and strong through world wars, depression and major social change. The GNE is the Oldest public service organization in the Collingwood and Clearview area, with a rich and varied history that mirrors the progress of the community around it.
The cover features a sketch by Collingwood artist Nick Hodgson of the magnificent Exhibition Hall that stood for only two years on the fairgrounds in Collingwood before it was reduced to ashes in a devastating fire in 1885.
