The 2025 agricultural fair season has begun with Maxville Fair, held this past weekend in the small North Glengarry village of Maxville. The English Horse Show is always a fan favourite and was held on the first full day of the fair. Mackenzie Gordon is seen riding Arri Viste who is owned by Christine Allard during the open hunter over fence class of the show. Thompson Goddard Photo

MAXVILLE – The 2025 agricultural fair season has begun with Maxville Fair, one of the first fairs, held this weekend in the small North Glengarry village of Maxville over June 20, 21 and 22. Organized by the Kenyon Agricultural Society, the fair featured something for everyone and included sports, homecraft, vendors, horse competitions and fun for youngsters of all ages.

Visitors to the fair were able to enjoy a walk around the expansive fairgrounds and if the sun shone down too warmly, there were multiple trees offering shade.  Getting a bit hungry during your stay at the fair, there was opportunity to pick up a bite to eat or something cool to drink.

Kenyon Agricultural Society President Willie Kippen summed up the 2025 Maxville Fair by saying there were “Two very nice days weatherwise and overall attendance was up this year.”

Throughout the weekend there were multiple opportunities to see local athletes in action during the baseball tournament, beach volleyball tournament, and a cornhole tournaments which was held on Saturday. Another fair favourite was the antique tractor pull, which was held on Sunday, with around 30 antique tractors.

In the horse ring there were two horse shows held throughout the fair. On Saturday the horse ring was busy when the English Horse Show was held with Winning Touch Show Management out of Alexandria ensuring the smooth running of the event. A Western Gaming Horse Show was scheduled for Sunday, with the beloved “Long Ears” Animal Show also to be held on Sunday.

Inside the Exhibition Hall visitors were able to view the many entries into the 2025 Homecraft Division. New divisions were added this year, with Homecraft chair Annie St. Dennis mentioning how the ladies working in the children’s department do a great job of keeping schools involved.

“I have a good crew to work with,” commented St. Dennis, with volunteer Gwen Arkinstall commenting in a favourable fashion on the organizational skills of the Homecraft Division Chair. The entries were pleasantly presented to the public, with St. Dennis mentioning the total number of entries remained similar to the 2024 Maxville Fair.

The fair’s Baby Show was held in the air-conditioned Metcalfe Centre on the ground and in the Education Tent there were several fun shows throughout the fair for youngsters of all ages to enjoy. The Kid’s Pedal Tractor Pull was scheduled for the early afternoon of Saturday.

Throughout the fair there were two children’s area on the fairgrounds, with one being inside the arena. There were inflatable rides, craft opportunities and some games of chance available for youngsters of all age.

Fair dances are an integral part of a fair and guests to the Maxville Fair were able to dance the day, or night, with fair dances for the older set scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday afternoon and a children’s dance scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

The sun continued to shine on the 2025 Maxville Fair on Sunday with the day starting with a free breakfast organized by the Maxville and District Lions club and sponsored by Wever Financial. Throughout the day there was the opportunity to enjoy the skills of local highland dancers, watch as antique tractors showed off their pulling abilities and take in some of the tournaments happening. There was lots of activity in the horse ring, which was busy with a Western Gaming Show as well as the crowd favourite “Long Eared” Animal Show scheduled.

Members of the Kenyon Agricultural Society will be spending a restful week after fair weekend. A special thanks is provided to the people attending the fair, the volunteers who worked during the fair weekend and to the members of the KAS for once again giving a great start to the fair season.