Brussels Fall Fair 2026: Sophia Blake wants to earn fair's first triple crown

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Late last month, when the Brussels Agricultural Society held its now-annual Meet the Ambassadors night, a familiar face returned as Sophia Blake was crowned the Junior Ambassador for this year’s Brussels Fall Fair. And, by her own account, she’s still not done with the Ambassador program.

 

Two short years ago, Blake was the Little Ambassador, working alongside Fall Fair Ambassador Emily Bieman and Junior Ambassador Bridget McCallum. This year, she came back for the Junior Ambassador title, saying that night that she hopes, one day, to be able to proudly say that she had earned all three titles, winning the Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador crown once she reaches her late teens. (Blake is only 10 and the Ambassador program eligibility window doesn’t open until a contestant is 17.)
Vicki, Sophia’s mom, says that the Brussels Fall Fair, but, more specifically, its Ambassador program, is part of their family’s history. Two of Sophia’s aunts have played a large role in the work of the Brussels Agricultural Society in past years. One aunt, Crystal, is the current president of the society, while another, Patti, was crowned the Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador back in 2016, besting a handful of competitors at the Brussels Legion that night.

 

It’s that connection through family that first attracted Sophia to the program a couple of years ago. She had seen the fun that the Ambassadors before her were having at the Brussels Fall Fair and she wanted in on it. She looks back on her year as the Little Ambassador fondly as well, saying that she particularly enjoyed attending other fall fairs in the area and being part of Santa Claus parades throughout all of Huron County. Indeed, that’s what she’s looking for again this year and beyond after winning the Junior Ambassador title.

 

Vicki says that it was interesting and encouraging when Sophia was the Little Ambassador, seeing the two older Ambassadors helping her along, teaching her the ropes and supporting her at events. Now, she said, Sophia can be that to Michaela Townsend, this year’s Little Ambassador, while working alongside Rowan Gaspirc, the Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador for this year.
At the Ambassador night, Sophia spoke about her favourite farm product, which gave her an opportunity to discuss hay with those who were there that night.

 

And on the topic of public speaking, that is now where Sophia excels, when that hasn’t always been the case. Numerous people - from President Crystal to Vicki to Maggie Speer of the Ambassador program - have made mention of Sophia coming out of her shell in the time between winning the Little Ambassador title and this year. Sophia agrees, saying that while she enjoys speaking to a crowd now, she does still have some nerves, but she’s found ways to overcome them.

 

Now, looking ahead, she’s excited to be part of the Brussels Fall Fair, as well as the other fall fairs throughout the county, followed by the Santa Claus parades, which are always a lot of fun. 

 

Looking even farther ahead, Sophia says she is looking forward to the day when she can take part in the Brussels Fall Fair competition and, hopefully, win the crown to successfully earn the triple crown. She would be the first to do it in the relatively short history of the Junior and Little Ambassador programs. (The crowns were first handed out in 2016, meaning that this year’s Brussels Fall Fair marks the 10-year anniversary, though the program was paused for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)