Port Perry Fair sends summer out in style

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DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: There was hardly a cloud in the sky as the sights, sounds, and smells of the Port Perry Fair filled the Fairgrounds over Labour Day weekend.

With beautiful summer weather providing the backdrop, thousands of fairgoers had plenty of reasons to linger, from the midway and live entertainment to livestock competitions, tractor pulls, rodeo action, and one of the community’s most anticipated annual demolition derbies.

The 2026 Port Perry Fair also marked the beginning of a new tradition, with the Fair getting an early start, Friday night, with a concert, featuring country music favourites Robyn Ottolini and the James Barker Band.

The concert, held before the official opening of the three-day Fair, gave fairgoers a chance to kick off Labour Day weekend with live music, under the stars.

“It was such a great way to start the weekend. The weather was beautiful, the music was fantastic, and everyone seemed to be in such a good mood,” said Theresa Black, of Brooklin.

When the Fair officially opened, Saturday morning, the sunny weather continued to draw families through the gates and onto the grounds.

The midway quickly became one of the busiest spots at the Fair, with rides, games, and food providing plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Nearby, the vintage tractor display offered a reminder of the agricultural roots at the heart of the Port Perry Fair. The tractors later took part in a parade, before the Truck & Tractor Pull, where horsepower took on a very different meaning.

The Lawn Tractor Pull, FMX Motocross Show, and Canine Circus also kept the entertainment schedule busy throughout the day, while visitors could take a break from the action under the Entertainment Shelter.

There, the Outback Cloggers, Ferrport Jazz Ensemble, and Ron Cross’s interactive drumming workshops were among the attractions.

The Home Craft and Junior Fair also opened Saturday afternoon, showcasing the creativity and hard work of exhibitors from across the community.

“There is something about coming to the Fair every year which makes it feel like summer isn’t quite over yet,” said Sunderland’s Joan Wilson. “The kids have their rides, we get to see the animals and exhibits, and we always run into people we haven’t seen in a while.”

Sunday brought another day of near-perfect weather and a strong focus on the Fair’s agricultural traditions.

The 4-H Beef Show, the Beef Cattle Show, and the 4-H Dairy Show highlighted the work of local farmers, exhibitors, and young people involved in agriculture.

For many visitors, the livestock shows are an important part of what sets the Port Perry Fair apart from other Labour Day weekend attractions.

The Home Craft and Junior Fair continued to showcase entries throughout the day, while the midway, FMX Motocross Show, and Canine Circus provided plenty of reasons for families to keep exploring the grounds.

The Entertainment Shelter offered another full slate of programming, including the Outback Cloggers, Tim the Puppet Tamer, and The Wanted.

By Sunday evening, attention turned to the Demolition Derby.

The 6 p.m. event brought plenty of noise, dust and excitement to the Fairgrounds, as drivers battled it out before the action gave way to another major attraction — live music.

Janetville’s Brodie Bell opened the Sunday night concert before headliner Tyler Lorette took the stage.

“The derby was one of the highlights for us, but staying for the music afterward made it an even better night,” said Port Perry’s Stephanie Young. “You couldn’t have asked for better weather.”

Monday brought the final day of the Fair, but there was little sign the Labour Day weekend energy was slowing down.

The day began early, with rodeo overflow classes and a new pancake breakfast, hosted by Brass Inc. in the beer tent.

The Junior Dairy Show, the Heavy Horse Show, and the Ontario County Holstein Show put the spotlight back on agriculture, while the Pet Show gave families another opportunity to take part in the action.

The Extreme Rodeo followed, bringing cowboys, horses, and plenty of excitement to the Fairgrounds.

The final afternoon also featured the Women’s Baking Contest, Fiddle Contest, and Horse Pulling Competition.

The Horse Pull provided a fitting finale, to a weekend where horsepower had been a recurring theme, bringing the Fair’s agricultural and entertainment traditions together one more time.

“We come every year, but this one just felt extra special,” said Dustin Smith of Oshawa, visiting with his family. “The weather was perfect, and there was so much happening. It really felt like the whole community was out enjoying the weekend together.”

As Monday afternoon arrived and the midway began to wind down, another Port Perry Fair came to a close. For generations, the Fair has been part of the unofficial rhythm of late summer in Scugog, a place where agricultural traditions, family entertainment, and community connections come together over Labour Day weekend.

This year, those traditions were joined by something new.

The Friday night concert, featuring Robyn Ottolini and the James Barker Band, gave the Fair a new opening chapter, while the traditional three-day event continued to deliver the attractions which keep generations of fairgoers coming back.

From livestock and homecrafts to motocross, tractor pulls, rodeo, the demolition derby, and live country music, the 2026 Port Perry Fair offered a little bit of everything.

Accompanied by sunshine overhead, for much of the weekend, it proved to be a fitting way to send summer out in style.

For one long weekend, Port Perry was filled with music, midway lights, roaring engines, agricultural pride, and the familiar sounds of neighbours and friends enjoying one of the community’s favourite traditions.

Summer may now be winding down, but the memories of another Fair weekend will last well beyond the Labour Day holiday.