About the Fair

A Proud Scugog Township Tradition Celebrating Agriculture, Community & Rural Heritage

The Blackstock Fair, proudly organized by the Blackstock Agricultural Society, is one of the defining rural traditions of Scugog Township. Rooted in more than a century of agricultural pride, the fair continues to honour the farm families, homecraft heritage, and community spirit that helped shape Blackstock and the surrounding countryside.

A Fair with 19th-Century Beginnings

The origins of the Blackstock Fair trace back to the late 1800s, when agricultural societies across Ontario were forming to support farmers, encourage innovation, and strengthen rural communities. Blackstock, surrounded by prosperous farmland and growing settlement, quickly became a natural home for such an exhibition.

Those first fairs were practical and deeply connected to everyday farm life. Local families gathered to compare livestock, showcase crops, demonstrate new techniques, and celebrate their shared rural accomplishments. These early traditions laid the groundwork for a fair that remains important more than a century later.

Celebrating Agricultural Excellence

Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Blackstock Fair. Livestock classes featuring dairy and beef cattle, sheep, poultry, and small animals reflect the multi-generation knowledge and dedication of farm families throughout Scugog Township.

The fair’s homecraft section has been equally important through the decades. Quilts, preserves, baking, sewing, woodworking, floriculture, and youth-created projects all highlight the creativity and hands-on skills that have long defined rural life. Many families proudly take part year after year, passing these traditions down to their children and grandchildren.

Youth at the Centre of the Tradition

Young people have always played a key role in the Blackstock Fair. Through 4-H clubs, junior fair classes, school programs, and youth divisions, children and teens gain valuable experience in:

• Responsible animal care
• Practical agricultural skills
• Domestic arts and craftsmanship
• Confidence and leadership
• Pride in rural heritage

These early experiences help foster the next generation of agricultural leaders and community volunteers.

Built by Volunteers, Supported by Community Pride

The Blackstock Fair thrives because of the ongoing commitment of the Blackstock Agricultural Society and its many dedicated volunteers. Their efforts—organizing competitions, preparing grounds, coordinating judges, and maintaining long-standing traditions—are the foundation of the fair’s success.

Many volunteers represent families who have been involved for multiple generations, reflecting the deep community pride that sustains the fair year after year.

A Reflection of Blackstock’s Rural Identity

The fair mirrors the values that define the Blackstock area:

• Strong agricultural roots
• Multi-generation family involvement
• Respect for rural craft and creativity
• A close-knit community spirit
• Youth development and mentorship

These qualities make the fair an authentic expression of local heritage and an important link between Blackstock’s past and present.

A Tradition That Continues to Flourish

While farming methods and rural life have modernized, the Blackstock Fair remains a meaningful celebration of the agricultural community that shaped the region. It honours the skills, values, and traditions of the people who built Scugog Township—and continues to bring residents together in the spirit of cooperation and rural pride.

About the Community.

Blackstock, Ontario: A Close-Knit Rural Village with Deep Roots & Country Charm

Located in the eastern reaches of Scugog Township, Blackstock, Ontario is a warm, friendly village shaped by agricultural heritage, community pride, and generations of rural families who have called the area home. Though small in size, Blackstock’s history and spirit run deep, making it a memorable and meaningful part of Durham Region’s countryside.

A Village Shaped by Early Settlement & Rural Tradition

Blackstock’s beginnings can be traced to the mid-1800s, when pioneer families settled the fertile lands east of Port Perry. With farming as their foundation, early residents built barns, worked fields, established small businesses, and developed a tightly knit community centred around family, faith, and cooperation.

Local mills, general stores, schools, and rural industries helped the village grow. The arrival of rail connections further strengthened Blackstock’s role as a service centre for surrounding farms. Many of today’s local families have roots stretching back through these early settlers.

A Scenic Countryside of Farms, Fields & Rolling Hills

Blackstock is surrounded by a landscape that perfectly captures the spirit of Durham Region’s rural northeast:

• Gently rolling farmland
• Heritage barns
• Quiet concession roads
• Woodlots and open fields
• Multi-generation agricultural operations

This countryside is beautiful in every season—lush green in spring, golden at harvest, vibrant in autumn, and peaceful under winter snow. Scenic routes around Blackstock are ideal for relaxed country drives, photography, cycling, and exploring rural Ontario.

A Community Held Together by Cooperation

One of Blackstock’s greatest strengths is its people. The community is known for its friendliness, its sense of belonging, and its dedication to supporting local initiatives. Volunteers, service clubs, churches, and neighbourhood organizations keep the village active and connected.

Whether through community gatherings, fundraisers, seasonal events, or agricultural traditions, residents consistently demonstrate a strong spirit of cooperation and pride.

Small-Town Heart with a Rural Identity

Despite its modest size, Blackstock has a clear and vibrant identity. The village maintains a quiet charm, a peaceful pace, and a strong sense of continuity. Heritage homes, family farms, local businesses, and rural meeting places together create a community landscape that feels both historic and alive.

Many families choose Blackstock for its calm rural setting, its sense of safety, and its welcoming atmosphere — qualities that make it a beloved place to live and visit.

Agriculture at the Centre of Community Life

Agriculture remains a defining influence on the region. Surrounding farms produce:

• Dairy and beef
• Hay and grain
• Mixed crops
• Rural goods and crafts

These agricultural traditions continue to shape the community’s values, rhythms, and heritage. This connection to the land is proudly celebrated each year at the Blackstock Fair, one of the community’s most important and longest-standing local traditions.

The Perfect Match for the Blackstock Fair

The fair embodies many of the community’s defining qualities:

• Respect for rural heritage
• Strong youth involvement
• Volunteer leadership
• Creative and agricultural craftsmanship
• Multi-generation participation

Together, the village and the fair offer a complete picture of Blackstock’s identity — a community rooted in tradition, strengthened by cooperation, and proud of its rural heritage.

A Village That Feels Like Home

Whether exploring quiet country roads, chatting with longtime residents, or simply enjoying the peaceful rural landscape, Blackstock offers a warm and inviting small-town experience.

It is a village where heritage is valued, where community spirit thrives, and where rural Ontario’s traditions remain strong.