The word for this year’s edition of the County’s longest standing tradition (outside its newspaper, of course) was ‘up’.

The Prince Edward Agricultural Society’s Tina Hiddink confirmed attendance was up this year around 20 per cent over 2024. That’s a huge surge.

The fair also saw 200 new entrants in its competitions. Every category from agriculture to art, and from baked goods to crafts, was up over 2024 numbers.

Even after a tough growing season, the Huff Estates Arena floor was bursting with the colourful bounty of summer. “The flowers, the fruits and vegetables were very good considering the struggles the farmers had this year,” Ms. Hiddink noted. “We heard from folks that attend all the fairs in the region that our agriculture entires were better than most.”

The livestock shows also featured an uptick in participation.

The saddle horse show was wildly popular, while the beef show featured 125 head. The annual Black and White show saw over 50 dairy cows entered, while the annual Boyer Auto Group Demolition Derby presented by Impact Motor Sports drew 47 cars and what seemed like 1,000 fans cheering on the drivers from the grandstands and the bleachers.

Even the baby show was up over last year with 32 entrants, proving it was an exceptionally cold fall and winter in Prince Edward County in 2024.

The one issue the Fair Board will be looking into is more auxiliary parking and better use of a shuttle service. County Transit ran a Picton Fair stop where attendees could park at Macaulay Park and ride the bus to the front gates and back. The Board is hoping to advertise that option more next year.

The Fair formerly had usage of an auxiliary parking lot on MacSteven Drive, but construction of the new hospital has eliminated that option. Some fair goers were parking as far away as the former Hamilton Beach property.

“Unfortunately, parking was an issue and it’s something we hope we’ll have an answer for in 2026,” Ms. Hiddink added. “But overall, the board is very pleased with this year’s fair.”