Several members of the RAS Board of Directors are seen during the annual Canada Day Breakfast at North Stormont Place. Thompson Goddard Photo

NORTH STORMONT – Since its formation in 1858, the Roxborough Agricultural Society (RAS) has served its community in celebrating local life. Dedicated to promoting agricultural education, providing community activities and hosting the Avonmore Fair, the RAS will celebrate its 170 th anniversary in 2030, as the first fair or exhibition was held in 1860.

The 70 dedicated volunteers of the organization are an integral part of community life in North Stormont and are the only agricultural society in the township. In addition to hosting the Avonmore Fair, an agriculturally based fair in early July, delegates from the RAS attend the annual convention of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) in February. This provides the association the opportunity to network work with other agricultural societies while receiving presentations on potential fair entertainers and sharing ideas for increased fair and community enjoyment. Members also attend learning webinars which are offered by the O.A.A.S. which provide educational opportunities as well as attending the district one meetings held each fall and spring.

Throughout the year members volunteer at many local events in addition to the fair including the annual Run the Farm at the Avonmore Berry Farm, the Kilt Run at the Glengarry Highland Gamers and often host community meals at North Stormont Place. Each year the society presents a bursary to a student volunteer who has been involved in the fair. Bryce Robinson, a member of the RAS Board of Directors and a past president of the society, mentioned community activities such as the annual Avonmore Christmas Art, Craft and Bake Sale, hosted by the RAS and held in early December at Tagwi Secondary School has become a favourite holiday shopping excursion for people from many areas. The society provides the Avonmore Community and Athletic Association (ACAA) the opportunity to host their soccer games in May through to early July as well as several of their community activities on the fairgrounds.

Robinson explained the main purpose of the RAS is to host the Avonmore Fair. This early summer exhibition is held on the fairgrounds in Avonmore. The fair dates back to 1860 and in its early years was often held in conjunction with the annual ploughing match which was sponsored by the organization. The first exhibition was held on Avonmore Streets, or as it was known at that time Hough’s Mills, in October of 1860 and in the early years was held in different villages including Moose Creek, Gravel Hill and Warina in addition to Avonmore.

The fair was designed “to help promote and community involvement and educate the public on agricultural activities and its importance, as well as providing an opportunity for local people to show case their crops, exhibits and talent.” The purpose of the Society can be defined as being in accordance with objectives stated in the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act which are designed to encourage “an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agriculture” by research, the holding of agricultural exhibitions, promoting natural resource conservation, by encouraging beautifying of the community and the enrichment of rural life.

When asked about the importance of agricultural organizations to the community, Robinson mentioned the building of a sense of community, the opportunity to display people’s talents in many venues such as the stage, show ring while enjoying socializing and entertainment. In addition to the exhibits, children’s activities and inflatables, there are the annual cattle and 4-H shows, talent shows and the multitude of different types of food to enjoy “from homemade pies to fries!” The Fair provides the opportunity for people to “learn new things and skills as they assist in activities, they are not normally involved in, and give them experience in life.

The Society is governed by twelve directors, currently they are Shayla Fraser, Charity Stucki who is currently vice president, Tammy Clifton, Bryce Robinson, David Wattie who is the current President, Donna Lee MacDonald, Charyl McLaughlin, Linda Holland who is currently the treasurer, Molly McDonald, Joe Krol, Wendy Trenholm who is currently the board secretary and Denise Wert. Some of these directors have been on the board for many years, Robinson since 1993, Holland since 1994, Trenholm since 2001, McLaughlin since 2011, Stucki since 2015 and Fraser since 2016.

There are always challenges which have to be faced both in business and in organizations such as the RAS. Robinson explained these include financial expenses which include the cost of maintaining the fairgrounds and those associated with vandalism as well as the cost of insurance. It is through fundraisers such as dinner theatres, fair sponsorship, and other events like community breakfasts and the popular Christmas Craft Show that the expenses are covered.

Another challenge is finding community volunteers to assist the society in running the events it hosts. There are “around 150 people who play some role in the annual fair” which include working at the fair gates, dining hall, other shows or the exhibition hall. Throughout the year there are several opportunities for people to volunteer, with there being many various things to organize with Robinson noting how “many hands make light work out of any job” with volunteers able to have some fun while helping out. He suggests contacting the RAS via email at info@avonmorefair.ca for more information on fair sponsorship or volunteering as the organization is always looking for volunteers and suggestions from the community.

The 2026 Avonmore Fair is scheduled to be held on July 17, 18 and 19 at the fairgrounds in Avonmore. As in past years there is a full weekend of agricultural activities, family fun and the opportunity to enjoy meeting with friends and neighbours over the weekend. This year the Dancing Tractors from St. Albert will be performing three shows at the Fair. The Fair kicks off the Friday night with the Barn Dance featuring “The County Lads”.

More information on the 2026 Avonmore Fair and the various competitions held at the Fair each year and the Roxborough Agricultural Society is available on their Facebook page as well as at www.avonmorefair.ca.

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