Community and celebration bloom at the Sunderland Fair on September 9th and 10th

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: The village of Sunderland will soon be buzzing with excitement, as one of Ontario’s most beloved rural traditions returns. The annual Sunderland Fair takes place Tuesday, September 9th, and Wednesday, September 10th, carrying this year’s bright and cheerful theme of Sunflowers.

As the oldest midweek fair in Ontario, the Sunderland Fair is more than just rides and competitions, it’s a gathering place which connects generations.

“This fair has always been about community,” said, Brock Township Mayor, Mike Jubb. “It’s where families, neighbours, and visitors come together to celebrate our agricultural roots, enjoy some great entertainment, and support the volunteers who make it all possible. It really showcases the best of Sunderland.”

The fairgrounds, located at 20 Park Street, north of the Town Hall and Cenotaph, will be filled with attractions and activity from start to finish.

Festivities kick off Tuesday evening, at 5 p.m., with a classic car and tractor show. Families can enjoy children’s inflatables, until 8 p.m., before gathering for the 6 p.m. opening ceremonies. From there, the schedule bursts to life with the Durham West 4H Lawn Tractor Pulls, a horse pull, a pet show, and a performance by the Sunderland Lions Theatre Group.

Adding a new twist this year, is, the Farmer Olympics, a lighthearted competition, starting at 6:30 p.m., on the north baseball diamond. Participants can register at 6:15 p.m. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and a real crowd-pleaser,” said, fair board member, Tanya Brown. “We wanted to add something which celebrates the farming spirit while getting people laughing and cheering along.”

At 7:30 p.m., local country singer, Erin Blackstock will close out the evening with a live performance.

On Wednesday, the fair opens bright and early, at 9 a.m., with the ever-popular parade stepping off from Sunderland Public School, at 10:30 a.m. Throughout the day, families will be entertained by the Canine Circus, performing three high-energy shows, at noon, 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

For many, Wednesday night’s demolition derby is the highlight of the fair, and this year’s smash-up spectacle begins at 7:30 p.m. “The demo derby has been a favourite for decades,” said longtime volunteer Doug Matthews. “You can hear the crowd roar every time a car takes a big hit, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the fair.” Admission is $10 on Tuesday, $15 on Wednesday, or $20 for a two-day pass, with elementary-aged students admitted free of charge.

Mayor Jubb said, he believes the fair is one of the township’s most important traditions. “The Sunderland Fair is part of our identity,” he added. “When you see the parade, the kids laughing on the midway, or the volunteers who work year-round to make this happen, you realize this fair is about pride in our community.”

With its rich history, homegrown charm, and new features like the Farmer Olympics, the Sunderland Fair continues to be one of Brock Township’s most anticipated annual events. Whether you come for the tractors, the shows, or the midway fun, everyone leaves with a smile.