Vankleek Hill’s annual celebration of agricultural and rural life was a huge success.

The 181st Vankleek Hill Fair took place at the fairgrounds from Thursday, August 14 to Sunday, August 17.

“We had record crowds, beautiful weather, and we couldn’t have done it without this wonderful community we live in,” said Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society Past President Jeff LeRoy.

He thanked all of the fair’s sponsors, service providers, and concession vendors who helped make the fair a success.

The four days of livestock, equestrian, and homecraft shows combined with entertainment and the midway began on Thursday evening with a large parade that began at the Community Centre and eventually followed Main Street to the fairgrounds before ending at the grandstand for the opening ceremony.

Agricultural society President Cory Nixon welcomed everyone to the fair.

Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Member of Provincial Parliament Stéphane Sarrazin said the community is what makes the fair successful.

“Without you, we couldn’t have an event like this one,” he said to the audience.

Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel spoke about the longevity of the fair and the effort that goes into it.

“181 years, that’s quite a string, it’s quite a challenge,” he remarked.

Opening ceremony in honour of Murray Allen.

Photos: Gabriel Landriault

The parade and opening ceremony of the fair was used as a special occasion to honour one of the most dedicated members of the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society and one of the community’s most involved citizens. Murray Allen has been involved with the agricultural society for more than 60 years and served as President in 1968-1969. Allen was presented with a certificate in recognition of his achievement by Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Executive Director Vince Brennan.

“It’s just a tremendous achievement,” he said.

“Murray has been a very active director of the fair board for over 60 years.”

As part of the recognition for his service, Allen was also Grand Marshal for the 2025 Fair Parade.

“It’s been an honour and pleasure to be parade marshal and open the fair this year,” he said.

“Sixty years, where did it go?” He remarked to the audience, receiving laughter in response.

Allen said there were many changes at the fair and with the agricultural society during the past 60 years. He gave credit to the board of directors for always being able to plan and adapt to changes and new situations.

“We’re so happy to be able to have a fair like this,” Allen said.

Allen’s home dairy farm is Allensite Farms near Vankleek Hill. In addition to more than 60 years of involvement with the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society and fair, his other community involvement and activities have included serving as a school trustee, membership at Cassburn United Church and the Vankleek Hill Curling Club and serving as a member of the Ontario Livestock Financial Protection Board.

Throughout the four days of the Vankleek Hill Fair, competitors, exhibitors, and visitors alike enjoyed dairy and beef cattle shows, horse shows, horse pull, tractor pull, and the demolition derby. Homecrafts, produce, and crops competed for prizes, and midway offered thrilling rides and games.

Parade photos: Gabriel Landriault

Parade photos: James Morgan

Photos: Philip Oddi

Photos: James Morgan

Clay MacWhirter is seen here seated at a shaving horse, or shaving bench. This woodworking tool has a foot-operated clamping bench and was used primarily for shaping wood with hand tools such as drawknives and spokeshaves. The shaving horse could be used for making tool handles, chair legs or to taper wood for other uses. Shaving horses date back to Roman times. 
Clay MacWhirter represented yesteryear on the farm with displays in the Agri-Education building at the Vankleek Hill Fair. He is seen here with a duplicator, which, as the name implies, was used to create duplicate wooden parts, like wheel spokes. This duplicator dates back to 1920, while the motor operating it is vintage 1916. 

Photos: Louise Sproule