Paris Fall Fair wraps up with big crowds, community spirit, and champions crowned

Rows of colourful exhibits filled the Paris Fair’s homecraft and hall display areas, showcasing everything from baked goods and flowers to crafts and photography, with local exhibitors vying for top honours.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The Paris Fair once again drew thousands of visitors over Labour Day weekend, filling the midway, grandstands and exhibit halls with excitement. Organizers estimate more than 500 volunteers helped make the 167th edition of the fair a success. The official attendance numbers were not available before our press deadline, with volunteers set to find out first during the Paris Agricultural Society’s annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ this week. 

Highlights included the demolition derby, livestock shows, homecraft competitions and the crowning of this year’s ambassador.

Michelle Kosch took home the 50/50 prize of $13,126.50. Spencer Nelson captured the Figure 8 derby, while Jesse Skye and Dale Savoury were crowned champions in the Walt Williams Invitational Demolition Derby (Full Size and Compact respectively). Derek Hettner won Best Looking Car.

Enza Graziano of Brantford was named Grand Champion Baby, and Grace Aulsebrook-Smith was crowned the 2025 Paris Fair Ambassador.

Pet Show

High Point Class B (Cat): Hollis & Hayes Amalfa, Paris

High Point Class C (Dog): Jack & Nolan Ferren, Paris

Best in Show: Olivia Denaeyer

4-H Dairy Show

Champion: Devin Coleman

Reserve Champion: Morgan Howard

Honourable Mention: Claire Donkers

Hall Exhibit Champion

Grain, Corn & Hay – John Gillespie, Ayr, Champion Hay Exhibitor

Adult Fine Art – Donna Campbell, Brantford, Best in Show

Primary Art (Age 5-8) – Avie Hutchinson, Brantford, Best in Show & Judges Choice

Junior Art (Age 9-12) – Jade Bunch, Brantford, Best in Show

Junior Art (Age 9-12) – Freya Mahoney, Brantford, Judges Choice

Teen Art (Age 13-15) – Madi Lassau, Brantford, Best in Show

Teen Art (Age 16-18) – Quin Reid, Brantford, Best in Show

Crafts & Hobbies – Sherry Just, Paris, Best Rug Hooking & Best in Show

Crafts & Hobbies

Sherry Just, Paris, Best Rug Hooking & Best in Show

Barbara MacDonald, Paris, Best General 

Jennifer Woodley, Brantford, Best Craft

Joyce Smith, Brantford, Best Recycling 

Julie Paquette, Brantford, Best Colouring & Painting

Ceejay Hearns, Woodstock, Best Card

Scott Archer, Mt. Pleasant, Best Penmanship

Dianne Dixon, St. George, Best Christmas

Lisa Madden, Simcoe, Best Seasons & Best Nostalgia 

Nathan Das, Paris, Best Woodworking

Kelly French, Elora, Best Collection

Donald Thurston, Paris, Best Antique

Photography

Kendra Carey, Brantford, Judges Choice

Tris Richards, Brantford, Judges Choice 

Doug Archer, Mt. Pleasant, Judges Choice 

Scott Allardyce, Cambridge, Best of the Best – Super Special; Judges Choice; Judge’s Choice Amateur Coloured Prints 

Sarah Jean Green, Paris, Judge Choice

Bethany Wood, Brantford, Judges Choice 

Harvey Wright, Paris, Judge’s Choice

Plants & Flowers

Siiri Fortey, Paris, Highest Points in Show, Highest Points in Potted Plants, Highest Points in Floral Designs

Sarah May, Dundas, Highest Points by First-Time Exhibitor

Porsha Gero, Paris, Judges Choice for Best Hosta 

Amanda Williams, Harley, Second Highest Points Accumulated in Show, Highest Points Accumulated in Cut Flowers 

Domestic Science

Deborah Godden, Paris, Highest Points in Class

Handi-Crafts

Joanne Holt, Guelph, Highest Points Senior Citizens 

Tammy Croome, Paris, Best in Show Afghans

Dianne Dixon, St. George, Best in Show – Hand Quilted

Donna Campbell, Brantford, Judge’s Choice 

Kelly French, Elora, Highest Points in Class/Judge’s Choice/Best in Show Christmas

Clothing

Gwen Burhham, Brantford, Highest Points in Class

Cheryl Humphrey, Princeton, Best in Show Accessories/Best in Show

Susan Bialek, St. George, Best in Show – Knitting & Crocheting

Junior Vegetables & Fruit

Ava Ysinga, Branchton, Highest Points in Class

Junior Flowers

Ava Ysinga, Branchton, Highest Points in Class

Junior Baking

Oscar Herriman, Paris, Best in Show Chocolate Chip Cookie -2nd 

Mollie Macintosh, Cambrige, Best in Show Chocolate Chip Cookie -1st

Maggie Kent, Cambridge, Chairpersons Choice

Junior Collection & Craft

Taylor Binnendyk, Norwich, Chairperson’s Choice (Ages 5 and under)

Casey Shiplo, Paris, Highest Points Trophy

Gage Stuart, Binbrook, Highest Points Trophy (Ages 6 to 9)

Alyia Hutchinson, Brantford, Chairperson’s Choice Award (Ages 10 to 13)

Alyssa Connor, Paris, Highest Points Trophy (Ages 10 to 13)

Braxton MacIntosh, Cambridge, Highest Points (Ages 14–18)

Dairy Cattle Champions

Ayrshire

Paul Hampson, Woodstock, Junior Champion

Scott Gordon, Rockwood, Junior Reserve & Honourable Mention

Mt. Elgin Dairy Farms, Guelph, Grand Champion & Best Udder (Mature Cow)

Robert, Suzanne & Rebekah Passow, Hagersville, Grand Reserve & Best Udder (Three-Year-Old)

Mac & Rosemary Jakeman, Beachville, Best Udder (Four- & Five-Year-Old)

Jersey

Bridon Farms Inc, Paris, Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion, Junior Honourable Mention, Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, Honourable Mention

Holstein

Sydney Cain, Paris, Champion 4H Calf

Jamie Howard, Burgessville, Champion 4H Calf Reserve

Nolan Allardyce, Brantford, Junior Champion

Brookturn Holsteins, St. Ann’s, Junior Champion Reserve

Bridgeview, Brantford, Grand Champion, Grand Champion Reserve

Richard and Teresa Osborne, Hagersville, best udder in class / summer 2 year old

Mt. Elgin Dairy Farms, Guelph, best udder in class / spring 2 year old

Bridgeview, Brantford, best udder in class / winter 2 year old

Tony Verdonk, Caledonia, best udder in class / fall 2 year old

Bridgeview, Brantford, best udder in class / jr 3 year old, best udder in class / 4 year old and best udder in class / mature cow.

Kevin Clement, New Hamburg, best udder in class / 5 year old

The double-qualifying beef show once again proved a draw, with 243 head of cattle shown on Saturday, making it one of the largest in Ontario.

Fair organizers thanked volunteers, sponsors and the community for their support. “It takes an incredible team effort to pull off a fair of this size, and we’re grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate,” organizers said.