Durham Fall Fair 2026: Pumpkins, Plaids, & Scarecrows!
166 years of Grey County fair tradition, Labour Day weekend in Durham
Dates
Sep 4–6
Cost
TBA 2026
Where
Durham, ON
Edition
166th Year
Since 1858, the Durham Agricultural Society has brought the surrounding Grey County countryside into town for one Labour Day weekend — livestock, homecraft, a midway, and the kind of small-fair charm that’s kept it going for 166 years.
🐎 Horse & livestock shows
🚜 Tractor pulls
🧵 Homecraft competitions
🎪 Midway & big tent
💡 As of this writing, the Durham Agricultural Society hadn’t yet posted the full 2026 hour-by-hour schedule or gate pricing — check durhamfallfair.ca or their Facebook page as the fair gets closer.
✨ Why This Fair Is Worth the Drive
Durham’s fair traces back to 1858, when it was founded as the South Grey Agricultural Society — one of Ontario’s oldest community organizations, older even than many of the governments that now regulate them. The grounds themselves have sat on Saddler Street West since 1879, and the current Community Centre was built on the same land the Society handed over to the town in 1952, in exchange for eight days of use each year for the fair.
The 2026 edition carries the theme “Pumpkins, Plaids, & Scarecrows!” — a fitting nod to a fair that’s always been rooted in the harvest season and the farming families of West Grey. It’s a compact, walkable fair rather than a sprawling one, which makes it an easy first stop if you’re working your way through Grey County’s fall fair season.
Expect the enduring mix that’s defined it for generations: horse and livestock judging, homecraft and baking competitions, a midway, and a genuinely community-run atmosphere — right down to the volunteer board that includes both a Senior and Junior Ambassador.
📋 What’s Confirmed So Far
The Durham Agricultural Society hadn’t posted its full hour-by-hour 2026 program at the time of writing. Here’s what’s confirmed for now — check the official site for the complete schedule as it’s released.
Friday, September 4
Full timing not yet published — Fridays have traditionally opened with exhibit drop-off and registration, followed by the kiddie tractor pull in the evening.
Saturday, September 5
Full timing not yet published — Saturdays have traditionally been the fair’s busiest day, with 4-H shows, wagon rides, a pet show, and live entertainment.
Sunday, September 6
Full timing not yet published — Sundays have traditionally wrapped the weekend with the tractor pull competition.
🏆 Fair Traditions to Watch For
These have been recurring parts of the Durham Fall Fair weekend for years. Exact 2026 times weren’t published as of this writing, so treat this as a preview rather than a confirmed schedule.
🐎 English & western horse shows
🐄 4-H cattle & sheep shows
🚜 Kiddie tractor pull
🐾 Pet show
🧶 Homecraft & baking competitions
🚋 Wagon rides
🎪 Big tent games & storytime
🎟️ Essentials
Admission
In recent years, Friday and Saturday admission has been by donation, with a small fee for the Sunday tractor pull. Confirm 2026 pricing on the official site.
Ambassador Program
The Society runs both a Senior and Junior Ambassador program, a longstanding part of the fair’s volunteer community.
Contact the Fair Office
Janice Dick, Secretary — 519-369-3388 or [email protected].
Exhibitor Entries
Homecraft, baking, photography, and children’s/school work entries are welcome — check the official site for department rules and drop-off times.
🚗 Getting There
The fair is held at the Durham Community Centre & Arena, right in the town of Durham in the Municipality of West Grey — a short drive from Owen Sound, Hanover, and Flesherton.
Address: 451 Saddler St W, Durham, ON N0G 1R0 — the same grounds the Durham Agricultural Society has used since 1879.
📍 Get Directions to the Fairgrounds
❓ Common Questions
Details may change — always confirm on the official Durham Fall Fair website before heading out.
Location
Get DirectionsDurham Community Centre & Arena, 451 Saddler St W, Durham, ON, N0G 1R0
