Elementary School Fair thrills students, adults alike in Belgrave

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

The Elementary School Fair returned to Belgrave for its 103rd edition on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with sunshine, blue skies and a field full of eager students.

Parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, friends and community members lined Jordan Drive as a fleet of school buses pulled up, releasing excited children who had only just returned to classrooms after summer break. Teachers and volunteers kept the groups together while anticipation built for the parade.

The Brussels Pipe Band struck the first notes, leading local officials, this year’s Fair Ambassador and the Brussels Fall Fair Little Ambassador in front of the cheering crowd.

Event organizer Joan Vincent welcomed the students, parents and guests before introducing the dignitaries. Avon Maitland District School Board Trustee Patricia Smith reflected on her nearly two decades of attendance, first as a parent helping her children prepare exhibits and now as a trustee.

North Huron Reeve Paul Heffer encouraged the students to make the most of the day, while Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Mayor Glen McNeil reminded them that they are the future leaders of tomorrow. Morris-Turnberry Mayor and Huron County Warden Jamie Heffer said the fair was a welcome day away from school and urged students to take in all there is to see and do.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson energized the crowd, declaring, “This is where it all begins.” Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb kept his remarks light, commenting on the sports attire spotted in the crowd. With a laugh, he reminded the young attendees to know where the bathroom is before starting the fun, a habit he encourages in his own young son.

Fair Ambassador Leah Marks officially opened the 2025 edition of the fair, setting off a day of exhibits, activities and shared memories by speaking about her pride as a Belgrave resident, as well as her hopes to continue her family’s legacy in farming and the value of community traditions.

While the day offers fun and freedom from the classroom, it also serves as a reminder of the value of a little pomp and circumstance. Starting the school year off with a bit of a bang goes a long way towards setting a positive tone for the impending school year. Events like the Elementary School Fair help mark the passage of the year with purpose and celebration, giving students the chance to experience a sense of occasion that leaves lasting memories.

The Elementary School Fair is also, at its heart, an agricultural fair that features local traditions like livestock showing and a robust home crafts competition between schools. Each year, the Huron County Beef Producers are on hand, serving up simple, delicious beef sandwiches to hungry fairgoers. Their presence is a staple of the day and a fitting nod to the hardworking producers who play such a central role in the region’s economy and identity.

The students that attend this annual multi-school fair are given the opportunity to engage with other students in the same farm-forward traditions that have shaped rural life in Southwestern Ontario for generations. These early experiences help nurture respect for farming, food production and the hands-on skills that remain vital in communities like Belgrave. It’s no wonder that this unique event attracts more and more young participants every year.