End of summer tradition lives on at 172nd Port Perry Fair

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

SCUGOG: The unmistakable sounds of summer’s grand finale echoed across the Port Perry Fairgrounds this past weekend. It was filled with the laughter of children spilling off the midway, the roar of engines at the tractor pulls, and the sweet notes of fiddles drifting through the air.

For 172 years, the Port Perry Fair has been the community’s signature sendoff to summer. From Saturday, August 30th through Monday, September 1st, thousands of visitors filled the fairgrounds for a three-day celebration, blending old-fashioned charm with modern thrills.

Walking through the grounds was a feast for the senses: the smell of kettle corn, grilled burgers and hot dogs, with the earthy scent of the livestock barns mingled in, all while the Ferris wheel glowed like a beacon over the midway as summer sunsets painted the sky.

For local resident Karen Morrison, the wonder of the fair is found in the people as much as the attractions. “It’s where you catch up with neighbours and friends you may not have seen all summer,” she said, smiling while her children tugged her toward the cotton candy stand. “We come for the rides and the food, but it’s the sense of community [which] keeps us coming back, every year.”

Saturday launched the festivities in high gear. Families stopped to admire gleaming vintage tractors. Next, the FMX motocross stunt riders soared overhead, pulling off flips and spins which drew gasps from the crowd. By evening, the Entertainment Shelter had transformed into a lively concert space. Performances by The Battered Mushrooms, The Brian Wride Trio, and the Blue Drag Band, lead into the official opening ceremonies and a crowd-pleasing Truck and Tractor Pull.

Sunday leaned into the fair’s roots, with its traditional 4-H beef and dairy shows, men’s baking contest, and spirited annual beef auction.

The day ended with the stands shaking under the energy of the demolition derby, a spectacle of twisted metal and roaring engines which had families cheering for every crunching collision. Later, the crowd swayed and sang along to live music, from the Steve Waters Band, before headliner Tyler Joe Miller closed the night with a burst of country anthems.

On Monday, the final curtain call of summer arrived with an action-packed lineup: broncos bucking during the Extreme Rodeo, elegant horse shows, fiddles ringing out in a spirited contest, and the much-loved Horse Pulling Competition which drew one of the weekend’s biggest audiences. Local combo, Alanna Jenish and Friends capped the celebration with a showcase of homegrown talent which had the crowd tapping their feet one last time.

For Jennifer Lawson, of Blackstock, the fair is a treasured tradition. She remembers wandering the grounds as a child and now shares that same experience with her kids. “My kids can’t wait for the demolition derby, that’s always their favourite,” she laughed. “But I love the baking and the fiddle contest. The fair hasn’t lost its heart, and that’s what makes it special.”

That sentiment was echoed by Maddie Cooper, a 16-year-old from Port Perry, who said the fair is her favourite part of Labour Day weekend. “The midway is amazing, and the motocross was awesome this year,” she said. “The music at night makes it feel like a big festival. It’s the best way to end the summer before school starts.”

For many, the Port Perry Fair is a celebration of heritage and a joyful community reunion. As longtime resident Greg Taylor put it: “It reminds us of our roots but it’s also just plain fun. Everyone leaves with a good memory.”

From the thundering engines to the sweet taste of pies, from cattle barns to carnival rides, the Port Perry Fair, once again, proved itself as a place where tradition meets togetherness, a gathering where the spirit of community shines brightest at summer’s end.