Markdale Fall Fair
“August 22 – 23, 2025 – 167 Years of Community, Country, and Celebration!“
Get ready to celebrate small-town tradition in a big way at the 2025 Markdale Fall Fair, happening August 22nd and 23rd! First held in 1858, the fair is proudly celebrating 167 years of bringing together the community to enjoy the best of agriculture, entertainment, local talent, and rural fun.
This beloved annual event continues to honour its deep farming roots while offering a weekend packed with activities for the whole family—from livestock shows and baking contests to live music and bale rolling competitions!
Farm Life on Display
Agriculture takes centre stage at the Markdale Fair, and this year’s Beef and Dairy Livestock Show will showcase the area’s top cattle, with local farmers and 4-H youth presenting their animals in hopes of taking home a ribbon. It’s a proud tradition that highlights the region’s farming excellence and deep-rooted commitment to rural life.
The Homecrafts and Baking Competitions are a feast for the eyes (and the imagination), featuring beautiful quilts, handmade crafts, preserves, baked goods, and floral displays. Don’t miss the tables lined with perfectly iced pies, cookies, and cakes in the friendly but fierce baking showdown!
Friendly Competition & Country Challenges
Step back in time and test your strength and skill in classic rural challenges like the Bale Throwing, Bale Rolling, and Sheaf Stooking Competitions. These lively, old-school farm games are open to all and offer great laughs, great fun, and even better bragging rights!
The Fire Fighters’ Obstacle Course invites fairgoers to cheer on local heroes as they tackle timed challenges with speed and skill, while Gymkhana Show riders race against the clock in fast-paced equestrian events that blend precision and excitement.
Family Fun & Furry Friends
Families with children will love the Inflatables and Amusements, offering safe and exciting fun for the little ones all day long. Curious kids can also explore the popular Touch the Truck exhibit, where they can climb aboard fire trucks, farm tractors, and more.
Animal lovers won’t want to miss the 4 Paws Dog Show, filled with tail-wagging talent and agility demonstrations, or the always adorable Pet Show, where furry, feathered, and scaled companions compete for titles like “cutest” or “most unique.”
Live Music, Line Dancing & Beer Garden Vibes
As the sun sets, the fairgrounds come alive with Live Music, featuring local bands and performers playing a mix of country, rock, and folk. Whether you’re swaying with a drink in hand at the Beer Garden or kicking up your boots during a Line Dancing session, there’s no better way to celebrate the fair’s spirit than with music and movement under the stars.
Join the Tradition!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of a 167-year-old tradition! Join us August 22nd and 23rd, 2025, at the Markdale Fall Fair for a weekend packed with heart, heritage, and hometown fun!
History of the Markdale Fall Fair
The Markdale Fall Fair has been a cornerstone of community life in Grey County since its official founding in 1858 by the Centre Grey Agricultural Society. For well over 165 years, the fair has brought together local residents, farmers, and visitors to celebrate rural life, agricultural excellence, and small-town camaraderie.
Originally created to showcase the region’s livestock, crops, baking, and handcrafted goods, the fair served as an important annual highlight for local farmers to compete, network, and display the fruits of their labour. From its earliest days, it was both an agricultural exhibition and a beloved community gathering.
As the decades passed, the fair evolved, adding horse shows, tractor pulls, parades, midway rides, children’s games, live music, and educational displays. It remained grounded in tradition while embracing the interests of new generations. The fair also became a platform for 4-H Club achievements, youth involvement, and school participation.
Organized annually by the Centre Grey Agricultural Society, the fair continues to be a major event in the Markdale area. It offers a wide range of family-friendly activities and continues to highlight the importance of agriculture in today’s world.
Now, with roots dating back to 1858, the Markdale Fall Fair proudly continues its legacy — a celebration of harvest, heritage, and heartfelt community spirit in the heart of rural Ontario.
