Wellesley Fall Fair moved from mid-week to weekend for first time in 172 years

Wellesley Fall Fair set for Aug. 22 and 23

A float in last year’s Wellesley Fall Fair parade. Photo courtesy of Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society

Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For the first time in its 172-year history, the Wellesley Fall Fair is transitioning from a mid-week event to a weekend event.

With the fair set for Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23 under a theme of “New roots, kick up your boots” this year, members of the Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society, the organization that plans the fair each year, voted earlier this year to change the long-held tradition to adapt to changing times.

“There was a lot of consideration; I want to stress that, actually. This was not something on a whim where the board said, ‘Let’s throw the hat in after 171 years,’ ” agricultural society vice president Susan Prange said of the decision to change when the fall fair is held each year from mid-week to the fourth Friday and Saturday of August.

“One of the main factors is that the schools are not letting the kids out of school anymore. That was a tradition for eons and, in addition to that, the community has changed significantly. This was a farming community, which meant families being able to leave the farm for an afternoon and go to the fair was absolutely okay. Now, we are much more than just that, so there were a lot of our adults who also couldn’t take the time away from work in order to attend during the day.”

In years past, businesses in Wellesley Township would close for the day during the fair in addition to local schools closing to allow students to attend.

“Wellesley Township was basically closed for the day and everyone came to the fair,” added agricultural society president Joanne Stewart. “Hawksville, Linwood, St. Clements, all of those people came to the fair. It was a very, very active community and the fairs were a great place to get some education on agricultural things that were happening, and also to showcase their wares, whether it was livestock or their crafts or canning, and that was for young and old.”

In addition to this year’s big change, the fair also saw a change in its traditional venue last year, moving from the old Wellesley arena and community centre in the Village of Wellesley to the brand-new Bill Gies Recreation Centre after it officially opened in June 2024.

“We had a lot of positive responses from the community (about the new venue),” Stewart said. “They said it just elevates the calibre of the fair. So, we’ve had two very exciting changes over the past two years. … We’re being very innovative.”

“One of the words that was heard a lot in the feedback was how bright the new rec centre is and because we were in a combination of the old arena and community centre before, the windows at the new rec centre are just so much more than what was ever available at the other two locations,” Prange added. “Everything was just brighter and fresher as a result.”

While the days and location for the fall fair have changed, the two-day event still features all of the fun, excitement and tradition of fall fairs of the past.

The fair opens at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 with inflatables, face painting, Henna tattoos, the silent auction and food trucks, as well as live music starting at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., attendees will want to gather for opening ceremonies, the fair’s junior and senior ambassador competitions, and the live auction.

Festivities get off to an early start on Aug. 23 with gates opening at 10 a.m. in conjunction with the opening of the inflatables and the educational AgriVenture Tent. Saturday will see a variety of shows, events and attractions including the horse, cattle, pet (real and stuffy) and baby shows, kids’ car races, a juggler and magician, a brief dressage demonstration, line dancing, and, of course, fireworks to close out the fair.

Of particular note on Saturday will be the annual fall fair parade at 1:30 p.m., the Wellesley Idol semifinals and Citizen of the Year presentations at 3:30 p.m., and, new this year, zucchini races at 11 a.m.

“We actually heard of other fairs doing (zucchini races) and we thought it sounds like a lot of fun,” Prange said. “Because we have the skatepark at the new Bill Gies Recreation Centre, people are going to come with their zucchinis – not cut up – they’re going to stick some wheels on them and we hope they decorate them ahead of time, but if they don’t, that’s fine. There will be different categories based on age and, essentially, we’re just going to let them go down the ramp and it will be which zucchini finishes first. I believe best-dressed zucchini is also a category they can win in.”

“We have a few wheels, but not enough for everyone,” Stewart added. “It reminds me of Cub Car Races but it’s using a zucchini instead of a piece of wood.”

As always, locals and people from across the province will have a chance to compete in exhibitions across a wide variety of categories, age groups and classes, including in the annual scarecrow competition. Open to everyone in the township at no entry fee, the scarecrow competition encourages locals to create scarecrows and display then outside their homes or businesses leading up to the fair in hopes of winning in one of several prize categories including best traditional, best creative, best fair theme related and best reflection of a business.

To enter, email wellesleyfairscarecrows@gmail.com by Aug. 8 (act fast!).

Another new addition to this year’s fall fair is the cost of entry. While kids five and under are free, everyone aged six and older will be able to purchase a wristband at a cost of $10. The wristband is good for both days of the fair and provides access to everything except food, facepainting and Henna tattoos. Wristbands can be purchased with either cash or credit card.

For more information and to register entries for exhibitions and competitions, visit wellesleynehfallfair.ca.