Fergus • Wellington County • Waterloo–Wellington

Fergus
Fall Fair.

Careful preparation, friendly competition and Wellington County pride.

The 2026 Fergus Fall Fair has concluded.

The September 18–20, 2026 fair has concluded. The organizer lists September 17–19 for its 2027 fair; reconfirm these future dates and await the next OAAS update. Older hours and admission prices are historical.

Know before you go

Visitor Information

📍 Location: Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex fairgrounds, 550 Belsyde Avenue East, Fergus, Ontario.
🗓 Next fair dates: Organizer-announced: September 17–19, 2027. Subject to reconfirmation and the next OAAS listing update.
🎟 Admission and hours: Confirm the next fair’s admission, hours, tickets and separately priced activities with the organizer before travelling.
🌐 Organizer and contact: Fergus Agricultural Society

Make the most of the day

Plan Your Visit

⏱ Allow several hours. Choose your day around the next livestock and track-event schedule. Leave room to explore the exhibit hall as well as the busier outdoor attractions.

🌾 Look a little closer. Look at the handler’s preparation as carefully as the animal in the ring. In the homecraft exhibits, small details offer another view of that same care.

👨‍👩‍👧 For families: Check age-appropriate activities, food breaks and quieter spaces. Programs vary by edition.

♿ Parking and accessibility: Confirm parking, entrances, washrooms and individual access needs with the organizer before your visit.

Visit the official Fergus Fall Fair website ↗

The experience

Pride in the ring and beyond it

Fergus Fall Fair offers a meeting place for the farming countryside and a community shaped by the Grand River.

Start with the quieter work behind the competitions. The original photographs show cattle judging, a pedal tractor pull and the practical pleasure of a tractor-drawn people mover. A truck pull brings a different kind of energy, while a wider fairground scene records the crowds that make the occasion their own. Move between those experiences at a comfortable pace. Then give the town some time too: Fergus’s main street, entrance sign and church place the fair within a community with its own stories and familiar landmarks.

Did You Know?

The agricultural society dates its history to 1836. The present fair continues to make room for both agricultural competition and the handiwork displayed in its exhibition spaces.

Explore more rural traditions in our Agritourism Guides.

About the Fair

A Wellington County Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Homecraft & Community Spirit Since 1836

The Fergus Fall Fair, presented by the Fergus Agricultural Society, is one of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs and a cornerstone of Wellington County’s rural heritage. First held in 1836, the fair has been celebrating agricultural excellence, creative homecrafts, and community pride for nearly two centuries. Generations of families, farmers, and visitors have gathered at the fairgrounds to honour the traditions and values that define rural life in the Fergus and Centre Wellington region.

A Fair Rooted in Early Scottish Settlement & Rural Growth

Fergus was founded by Scottish settlers in the early 19th century, and the community quickly became an important agricultural hub. The Fergus Agricultural Society formed during this era to support local farmers, improve livestock and crop production, and unite the growing rural population.

Early fairs displayed cattle, horses, produce, grain, domestic arts, and demonstrations of essential rural skills. These gatherings helped build community connection, support agricultural innovation, and strengthen the cultural identity of the region.

Agriculture at the Heart of the Fergus Fall Fair

Agriculture remains central to the Fergus Fall Fair and is proudly showcased through exhibits such as:

Dairy and beef cattle
Sheep, goats, poultry, and small livestock
Field crops, hay, vegetables, grains, and garden produce
Woodworking, rural crafts, and demonstrations of homesteading skills

These exhibits highlight the skill, dedication, and resilience of local farmers who continue to shape the region’s agricultural landscape.

The fair’s homecraft divisions, including preserves, baking, sewing, quilting, knitting, floriculture, photography, and junior categories, celebrate the creativity and domestic artistry that have long played a key role in rural Ontario communities.

Youth Engagement & Generational Tradition

Young people have always been an essential part of the Fergus Fall Fair. Through 4-H clubs, junior competitions, school exhibits, and agricultural education opportunities, youth develop:

Leadership and teamwork
Practical farm and domestic skills
Creativity and confidence
Responsibility
Agricultural literacy
A sense of community and heritage

Multigenerational participation is a hallmark of the fair, with families proudly contributing to the tradition for decades, even centuries.

Guided by Volunteers & Strong Community Support

The Fergus Agricultural Society and its volunteers work tirelessly to plan and deliver the fair each year. Their dedication, supporting exhibitors, organizing displays, maintaining grounds, and honouring tradition, reflects the spirit of cooperation that has defined the region since its earliest days.

A Celebration of Wellington County’s Rural Identity

The fair highlights the values central to the community:

Agricultural excellence
Homecraft creativity
Youth involvement
Volunteer leadership
Generational continuity
Community pride

A Tradition That Continues to Thrive

Nearly 200 years after its founding, the Fergus Fall Fair remains a beloved celebration of rural heritage, honouring the past while engaging the vibrant community of today.

About the Community

Fergus, Ontario: A Historic Scottish-Rooted Community Rich in Heritage, Countryside Beauty & Small-Town Warmth

Located in the Township of Centre Wellington, Fergus, Ontario is a charming community known for its Scottish heritage, beautiful riverside scenery, and enduring rural roots. With its historic stone buildings, scenic Grand River views, and welcoming small-town atmosphere, Fergus blends culture, tradition, and countryside charm in a way that feels uniquely timeless.

A Community Built by Scottish Pioneers

Fergus traces its origins to the 1830s, when Scottish settlers, including founders Adam Fergusson and James Webster, established a thriving milling and agricultural settlement along the Grand River. Their influence shaped the community’s architecture, traditions, and character, much of which remains visible today.

Historic stone buildings, preserved downtown streetscapes, early churches, mills, and long-standing farms reflect this rich cultural heritage.

A Landscape of Rivers, Rolling Farmland & Scenic Beauty

Fergus is surrounded by some of Wellington County’s most picturesque countryside:

Rolling farmland and pasturelands
Hills and valley views
Grand River trails and riverside lookouts
Historic bridges and natural river features
Quiet concession roads and rural byways

The blend of agricultural fields, river scenery, and historic character gives Fergus its compelling visual appeal.

A Community Known for Togetherness & Local Pride

Fergus is recognized for its strong community participation and welcoming atmosphere. Residents support:

Cultural festivals and heritage organizations
Local service clubs
Agricultural groups and rural associations
Schools, recreation programs, and youth activities
Seasonal community events and long-standing traditions

This involvement contributes to a strong sense of place and belonging.

Heritage Preserved Through Generations

The town proudly maintains its Scottish roots through:

Historic architecture and stonework
Community celebrations reflecting Scottish culture
Generational family farms
Stories and traditions passed from one generation to the next

This heritage continues to enrich the spirit of the town.

Agriculture Remains a Foundational Strength

Rural life still plays an important role in the Fergus area. The surrounding countryside supports:

Dairy and beef farming
Hay, grain, and field crops
Mixed farming operations
Local artisans and rural producers

This agricultural foundation is celebrated each year at the Fergus Fall Fair, one of Ontario’s most historic agricultural traditions.

A Natural Companion to the Fergus Fall Fair

Together, Fergus and its fair highlight the community’s strongest qualities:

Rural heritage
Volunteer spirit
Youth engagement
Homecraft creativity
Generational continuity
Deep community connection

A Community Where Heritage, Countryside & Local Traditions Flourish

Whether wandering its historic streets, exploring riverside trails, connecting with friendly neighbours, or celebrating treasured traditions like the Fergus Fall Fair, Fergus offers a warm and memorable rural Ontario experience, where heritage, natural beauty, and community pride shine brightly.

Keep exploring

🌾 Explore Nearby Experiences

Allow time for travel between communities, and check each experience’s own opening season.

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Fergus
Fall Fair.

Visitor Information

Plan Your Visit