174th Annual Erin Fall Fair Returns with New Attractions and Age-Old Traditions

The 174th Erin Fall Fair is set to delight locals and visitors alike over the Thanksgiving weekend, from October 11 to 14. Organized by the Erin Agricultural Society, the event will take place at the Erin fairgrounds, 184 Main St., Erin, Ontario.

“The crowd enjoys the agricultural aspect of our fair because we still have a lot of livestock shows,” said Joanne Gregson, manager of the Erin Fall Fair, in an interview with the Advertiser.

This year’s theme is “Country Routes and Rubber Boots,” promising a vibrant display of community spirit and tradition. Gregson highlighted the event’s impressive attendance figures from previous years, citing numbers between 30,000 and 35,000 when the weather cooperates.

The fair will open on October 10 at 5 pm with a special “Toonie Night” featuring $2 rides and admission to Robertson’s Amusements midway until 11 pm. The exhibits hall will accept exhibits from 6 to 9 pm on this opening night.

The following day, the fair will fully open at 4 pm, featuring its first truck pull event at 6 pm. The evening will also see the official fair opening in the exhibits hall and the commencement of the ambassador competition. Musical entertainment will be provided by Settler’s Creek Band at 7 pm in the festival gardens.

On Saturday, the fair will host a magic show, baby show, goat show, horse pull, and more entertainment. A new highlight this year, replacing the annual Sunday fireworks, will be a drone light show, consisting of up to 100 drones creating designs in the night sky, commencing at 9 pm.

The admission ticket pricing online includes Harmonized Sales Tax and ranges from free for children under five, to $2 on “Toonie Night,” to $14.50 for adults. Gate pricing will accept only credit or debit, with no cash sales available.

Joanne Gregson emphasized the fair’s dependence on volunteers, offering students an easy opportunity to gain volunteer hours. Volunteers who complete a minimum of four hours of work will enjoy free entry for the remainder of the day.

Sara Parkinson, in her final year as president of the Erin Agricultural Society, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event. “I’m excited we’ve got a lot of great things planned, fingers crossed that we get great weather,” she said. A native of Hillsburgh, Parkinson has been involved with the society since her teenage years.

An addition to the lineup that Parkinson eagerly anticipates is the new power wheels derby for children aged three to nine. “It’s going to be really awesome to watch and really exciting for the kids,” she remarked.

The fair is also known for its apple dumplings, crafted by the homecraft division, which creates thousands over the course of the weekend.

For more information on the Erin Fall Fair, interested parties are encouraged to visit the event’s official website.