Port Perry Fair kicks off Labour Day weekend with fun, food, and family traditions

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: For generations of North Durham families, the Port Perry Fair has marked the unofficial end of summer, a Labour Day weekend filled with midway rides, tractor pulls, livestock shows, and the smell of fresh-baked pies drifting through the fairgrounds.

This year, the tradition continues, as the 172nd annual Port Perry Fair takes place, from Saturday, August 30th to Monday, September 1st, carrying forward a legacy which dates back to the mid-1800s. What began as a small gathering, for local farmers to showcase their best livestock and crops, has grown into one of the region’s signature community events, drawing thousands of visitors each year.

For, local resident, Sarah McMillan, the fair has always been about community connections. “It’s where you bump into neighbours you might not have seen all summer,” she said. “We come for the rides and the food, but we stay because it feels like one big reunion.”

The three-day celebration kicks off Saturday morning, when the gates and midway open. Families can look forward to a vintage tractor display, the high-flying FMX motocross stunt show, and the always popular lawn tractor pulls. The Entertainment Shelter will host a full afternoon of live music, including The Battered Mushrooms, The Brian Wride Trio, and Blue Drag Band. At 5 p.m., the official opening ceremonies take place, followed by the Truck & Tractor Pull, starting this year at an earlier time of 5:30 p.m.

Sunday is steeped in tradition, with the 4-H beef and dairy shows, the men’s baking contest, and the annual beef auction drawing big crowds. In the evening, engines roar to life during the Demolition Derby, before fair goers cap the night with live music, from the Steve Waters Band and headliner Tyler Joe Miller, a rising star in Canadian country music.

For, long-time exhibitor, Tom Anderson, showing cattle at the fair is a highlight of his year. “There’s real pride in bringing your best animals,” he explained. “It’s not just competition, it’s about sharing what we do, as farmers, with the whole community.”

Monday brings a final day of thrills and community spirit, highlighted by the Extreme Rodeo, horse shows, a fiddle contest, and the much-loved Horse Pulling Competition. The Entertainment Shelter will also showcase local talent, including performances from Alanna Jenish and Friends.

For many families, the fair is a tradition passed down through the generations. Jennifer Watson, of Sunderland, remembers attending as a child and now shares the experience with her kids. “My kids can’t wait for the demolition derby. That’s their favourite part,” she said. “But for me, it’s the baking contests and the fiddle contest. It feels like the fair hasn’t lost its heart over the years.”

Teenager Emily Carter, age 16, of Port Perry, said, the fair is her favourite part of Labour Day weekend. “I love the midway and hanging out with friends,” she said. “The motocross show is awesome, and the music at night makes it feel like a big festival. It’s the best way to end the summer before school starts.”

Mark Douglas, a Port Perry resident, put it this way, “The fair is the perfect way to end the summer. It reminds us of our roots, but it’s also just plain fun. Everyone leaves with at least one great story.”

With something for every age, from agricultural showcases to live entertainment and baking contests, the Port Perry Fair remains a celebration of tradition, community pride, and the simple joy of gathering together.