Sparks, Spurs & Smiles: Stormont County Fair Turns 158!
Pack your sunscreen and your sense of adventure, Stormont County Fair is back for its 158th anniversary, running August 29 to September 1! For generations, Labour Day weekend here has meant the roar of engines, the clip-clop of hooves, the sweet smell of kettle corn, and that unmistakable fairground buzz. This year turns the dial up another notch with fresh attractions, beloved traditions, and plenty of “only at the fair” moments you’ll be talking about all fall.
Let’s start with the shiny new toys on the midway menu. Brand-new this year is the Classic Car Show, a chrome-lover’s dream where polished fenders and proud owners line up to share stories under the summer sun. Whether you’re into fins, flames, or flawless restorations, it’s the perfect stroll-and-gawk event, camera phones at the ready. Also debuting are the Mini Chuck-Wagon Races, pint-sized horsepower with full-sized thrills. These speedy heats bring tight turns, sharp strategy, and a cheer-from-your-seat finish that’s pure fair magic.
Of course, some traditions are too good not to encore. Isabella Hoops’ Fire Show returns to light up the night with a mesmerizing blend of dance, daring, and whirling flames. It’s equal parts circus artistry and edge-of-your-seat spectacle, the kind of performance that hushes a crowd and then erupts in applause. Bring your sense of wonder; you’ll leave with your jaw on the floor.
For the adrenaline junkies, the Demolition Derby is back to deliver the crunch you crave, fenders bending, engines revving, and the crowd surging with every final hit. If horsepower is more your speed than smash-ups, don’t miss Xtreme Cowboy Racing, where rider and mount tackle a course of obstacles that test finesse, trust, and grit. It’s a fast, fascinating showcase of horsemanship, equal parts athleticism and artistry.
And then there’s the traditional fair parade, the heartbeat of any county fair day. Marching bands, floats decked to the nines, waves from community groups, and kids scrambling for candy, this is the moment where the whole fair community steps into the spotlight. Find your spot along the route and soak in the colour, pride, and small-town sparkle.
Between the headline acts, the fairgrounds are a choose-your-own-adventure of sights, sounds, and tastes. Midway rides spin and swoop for thrill-seekers and little adventurers alike. The food row is a festival within a festival, classic corn dogs, fresh-cut fries, frosty lemonade, sugar-dusted donuts, and just maybe that “I’ll-try-it-once” treat you’ll secretly want again. Over in the barns and show rings, you’ll find livestock competitions that showcase years of hard work from local farms, sleek dairy cows, sturdy beef cattle, sheep with show-ready fleeces, and the proudest 4-H kids you’ll ever meet. Duck into the homecraft and exhibits hall to admire quilts, preserves, photography, baking, and floral displays, handmade talent in every aisle.
Families, you are more than covered. The fair’s schedule is sprinkled with kids’ activities, friendly farm animals, and hands-on fun that keeps little ones smiling from gate to gate. Teens can test their bravery on the biggest rides, while grandparents will love the music, the parade, and the easy pace of people-watching from a shady bench with a cone of soft serve.
What makes Stormont County Fair special after 158 years? It’s the way it blends the new and the nostalgic. You can cheer a flaming hula hoop performance and then wander over to admire a prize-winning pumpkin. You can watch a truck get pancaked in the derby, then listen to a classic tune at the bandstand. It’s a place where neighbours meet, visitors feel welcome, and everyone finds a corner of the fair that feels like it was put there just for them.
Pro tips to make the most of your weekend: arrive early for prime parade viewing, keep an eye on the daily schedule so you don’t miss the Mini Chuck-Wagons or Xtreme Cowboy Racing, and plan at least one evening visit, the midway lights and the Fire Show glow are a whole different kind of fair magic after sunset. Wear comfy shoes, bring a hat, and leave some room for dessert. (Trust us on that last one.)
So, circle the dates, August 29 to September 1, and gather your crew. Whether you come for the chrome and chariots, the sparks and spurs, or the smash and dash of the derby, the Stormont County Fair is ready to wrap your summer in a final, joyful flourish. Here’s to 158 years of community, country spirit, and good old-fashioned fair fun. See you at the gates!
