Vankleek Hill Fair

“August 14 – 17, 2025 – 180 Years of Country Roots and Cowboy Boots!“

Saddle up and get ready for an action-packed, family-friendly weekend at the 2025 Vankleek Hill Fair, taking place from August 14th to 17th, 2025! This year, as we celebrate an incredible 180 years of rural tradition, we invite you to experience the best of agriculture, motorsports, equestrian showcases, and thrilling entertainment. With the theme “Country Roots and Cowboy Boots,” the fair is set to honor its rich farming history while bringing excitement for all ages!

Motorsports & High-Energy Competitions

For those who love big engines and high-speed action, the Vankleek Hill Fair has some of the most exciting motorsports events around:

• Monster Truck Show – Watch as massive trucks roar through the fairgrounds, performing jaw-dropping stunts and crushing everything in their path!
• Demolition Derby – Get ready for metal-crunching action as fearless drivers crash and smash their way to victory!
• Motocross Show – Featuring high-flying motocross riders, performing aerial stunts, flips, and gravity-defying tricks!
• Farm Stock & Antique Tractor Pull – A showcase of horsepower, strength, and skill, as modern and vintage tractors compete to pull heavy sleds the farthest.
• Pulling Demonstrations – Experience the power and history of competitive pulling events, celebrating the best in traditional and modern farm machinery.

Equestrian Showcases & Western-Themed Events

Horse lovers will be thrilled by the wide variety of equestrian competitions and demonstrations at the Vankleek Hill Fair, including:

• Wild Horse Club’s Western Games – Fast-paced, high-energy games, celebrating the spirit of the Wild West!
• Extreme Cowboy Race – A challenging and exciting race, where riders and horses navigate obstacles, twists, and turns.
• English Light Horse Show – Showcasing the elegance and precision of English riding disciplines.
• Heavy Horse Line & Heavy Horse Hitch – A stunning display of powerful draft horses, showing off their beauty, grace, and teamwork.
• North American Six Horse Hitch Classic – One of the most prestigious equestrian events, featuring majestic teams of six draft horses working in unison.
• Horse Pull – A true test of strength, as teams of horses pull incredible weights in a friendly competition.
• Miniature Horse Demonstration – A delightful display of small but mighty horses, showcasing agility, intelligence, and skill.

Livestock Shows & Agricultural Heritage

The Vankleek Hill Fair remains deeply rooted in agriculture, with livestock competitions and hands-on experiences:

• Holstein Show & 4H Dairy Heifer Show – Featuring some of the finest dairy cattle in the region.
• Sheep Shearing Demonstration – A fascinating look at traditional sheep shearing techniques, where visitors can learn about wool production and farm life.
• Petting Zoo – A family favorite, where kids and adults alike can interact with friendly farm animals.

Fair Fun for All Ages

From classic fair attractions to lively competitions, there’s something for everyone at the Vankleek Hill Fair:

• Midway – Thrilling rides, classic carnival games, and delicious fair food make this a must-visit attraction!
• Youth & Adult Tug-of-War – A battle of strength and endurance, where teams compete to be crowned the ultimate champions.
• Parade – Featuring colorful floats, marching bands, and community groups, bringing energy and excitement to the fairgrounds.
• Live Music – Toe-tapping country tunes and lively performances will keep fairgoers entertained all weekend long.
• Exhibit Hall & Artisan Displays – A showcase of local artists, handmade crafts, baked goods, preserves, and homegrown produce, celebrating the talent and creativity of the community.

A Celebration of 180 Years of Tradition & Excitement!

The 2025 Vankleek Hill Fair is set to be one of the biggest and best yet, with a perfect mix of motorsports, equestrian events, agricultural showcases, and family fun. Whether you’re cheering at the rodeo, watching the demolition derby, or exploring the livestock exhibits, there’s something for everyone.

Mark your calendars for August 14th to 17th, 2025, and come experience 180 years of “Country Roots and Cowboy Boots” at the Vankleek Hill Fair!

History of the Vankleek Hill Fair

Our fair began shortly after the first settlement in the region. United Empire Loyalists, Irish and Scottish emigrants arrived in the early 1800’s. The 1830s saw the arrival of French “Canadien” families from the St. Lawrence River Valley. By a legislative act in 1837, agricultural societies of Canada West (Upper Canada) were “for the purpose of importing valuable livestock, grain, grass seeds, useful implements of husbandry, or whatever else might induce to the improvement of agriculture. The earliest record that has been found for our fair, shows the forming of an Agricultural Society in Prescott County at a meeting held at the Court House in L’Orignal in 1837. The County Agricultural Show was held for the first time in L’Orignal, in the fall of 1844. This was the location of the fair for the next few years.

In 1872, the directors felt that in order to improve the Society, it was necessary to place the same on a permanent basis, with grounds and buildings for the exhibition. Suitable grounds were presented by James Boyd, Esq. of Vankleek Hill. The County of Prescott Electoral Division Agricultural Society, as it was known, paid $500 in cash for the property on what became Agricultural Street, east of Mill Street, in Vankleek Hill. The annual fair was held on this site, in early October of 1872, with new exhibition buildings. In 1894, a grandstand was erected on the new fairgrounds.

At a meeting of the members of the Society, on February 6, 1886, it was resolved to sell the present property and purchase a larger site. In December 1886, the County of Prescott Agricultural Society purchased the present grounds. Between 1894 and 1913, the society’s name changed to the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society.

Our agricultural fair was held in the fall and was a major outing for many families who travelled by horse & buggy, wagon or on foot. Even some of the show cattle walked to the fair. Schools closed to encourage children to attend this special event. Families were entertained by a variety of events, from side shows, band music, and horse races to livestock competitions.

In the centennial fair of 1944, the fair was held on September 6, 7, & 8. Dr. G. S. Horace Barton, Federal Deputy Minister of Agriculture and former resident of rural Vankleek Hill, officially opened the fair, on September 7th.

In recognition of 100 years of Service to Agricultural and Rural Life, a $1000 grant was given by the Ontario Department of Agriculture, on the condition that the board erect a suitable centennial memorial. This was done, the choice being a flagpole, mounted on a concrete pedestal with an inscribed bronze tablet, on a large boulder monument. This can still be seen on the grounds, near the front entrance.

The presentation was made by the Honourable George H. Doucette, Minister of Highways for Ontario and accepted by the Society’s President, Dr. D. A. Irvine.

This was a happy and memorable occasion with excellent attendance, good weather and the Society now free of debt, plus $500 to the good.

In October 1948, a fire destroyed the old grandstand, which was rebuilt by July 1949. A good supply of water was found when a well was drilled in the fall of 1948. The horse barn, south of the grandstand, was built in 1948. Leslie Nixon was thanked by the board, for completing these improvements and work well done, in his years as the Society’s President (1947-1949).

Exhibits at the fair have changed over the years in quantity, variety, and methods. In the exhibit hall, the number of classes has increased and changed in content. In forage and legumes, quantities have definitely changed with a selection of 4 or 5 vegetables replacing the entry demand of a bushel.

Once favoured breeds in the livestock barns have been replaced. For example, there was a Jersey section in the fair book of 1912, but there were no entries. The Ayrshire show was very strong in the early years, as was the Holstein show. In 1872 an interest in pedigrees for the Ayrshire breed was seen. Some livestock seem to come and go, like sheep, while others have disappeared altogether. Swine were removed in 1971, and poultry in 1965.

The first official Prescott County Holstein Show (Black & White Show) was held in 1943, at which time record-keeping began. Prior to 1943, both purebred and grade Holsteins were exhibited, but no records were kept.