08/31/2026
Thank You for Making the 2026 Barrie Fair AMAZING!
As I sit, looking out the window at the rain coming down, and still recovering from the 173rd Barrie Fair, I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness.
The fair was not without it's challenges - as none ever are, yet the achievement of what was accomplished is something I'm very proud of. Not because of me, but rather, because of the community an team that came together to pull it off. This year's edition was built through many long days, lots of hard work and a shared determination to overcome every challenge placed in front of us. Above all, it was made possible by people who genuinely love the Barrie Fair and believe in what it means to our community.
I want to personally recognize some of the people whose dedication brought the Fair to life. This may be long, but that is a clear indication of the team it took to deliver this years Fair. Please read and honor each one.
Vern, Darryl and our entire maintenance team (Nick, Cam, Devon, Palmer, Arlo and Cadem) were exceptional. They worked longer hours than anyone, handled countless challenges behind the scenes and made sure everything stayed on track. Their work may not always have been visible to our guests, but it could be seen in every part of the Fair.
Our Office staff, Abi and Madison (who started 3 days before the fair began and never missed a beat), as well as our amazing summer students, Lauren and Evan, certainly got more than their share of steps in. They worked tirelessly with our volunteers, vendors and exhibitors, helping to create a seamless and welcoming experience for everyone who came through our gates.
Thank you to our Board members for their time and support (Christy, Suellen, Christine, Jason, Chester, Lisa, Peter, and Charles), with special recognition to Jason who worked tirelessly leading up to and throughout the Fair, remained calm under pressure and focused entirely on finding solutions.
Our volunteers were truly remarkable. Every person who gave their time played an important part in making the Fair possible. Special thanks go to Ethan, Ron and Lenny, whose dedication was second to none. They stepped up wherever they were needed and performed with the commitment and professionalism of experienced staff members.
I also want to offer very special thanks to former Board President Don Crowe. Don spent the entire week before the Fair—and the full Fair weekend—serving wherever he was needed. From cutting grass to working alongside our volunteers, he demonstrated what leadership, community spirit and dedication truly look like.
To our committee heads and 4-H leaders—including Layne, Charlotte, Chris, Liz, Emily, Taylor, Nick, Jessie-Lyn, and all the leaders and committee members who organized our agricultural, equine, livestock and Homecraft competitions—thank you for sharing your knowledge, leadership and passion. Thank you for running with things when I'm sure there were times you felt a little forgotten. These shows, competitions and exhibits are the cornerstone of the Barrie Fair and a sign of our heritage. A special thanks to Wayne, Lloyd and their team who adorned our property with their antique tractors and equipment. This decor is a testament of the history and value of our community.
Thank you to Danny and Aaron of Campbell Amusements for bringing the midway experience to life; Don and the Edge Motorsports team for delivering an exciting demolition derby; Gilbert and North of Nine for their Thursday night dirt drags: the OTTPA for running our truck and tractor pulls; Blue Sky and pilot extraordinaire, Valentin for giving visitors the unforgettable opportunity to see the Fair from above.
Our sponsors also made an enormous difference.
A special thank-you goes to Spring Tree Farm for the beautiful flowers and décor that helped make the Fairgrounds so welcoming; Huron Tractor and Premier Equipment for providing the Gators that helped us move people and supplies throughout the grounds; Amrize Canada for donating the concrete blocks used to create our new manure yard, Charlaine Farms for the parking and driveway grading.
We are also deeply grateful for the support of Rock 95, Charwen Farms, Scotiabank, ETS Infrastructure, John Gear Pumps, All-Tek Contracting, Cashtown Farms, Milligan Energy, First Response, Cookstown Antique Market, FarmView Newspaper, McGoey Insurance, Duivenvoorden Haulage, ABA Machine & Welding, Simcoe Hose & Hydraulic, Moffatt’s Mazda, Walker Industries, Nottawasaga Resort, Valerie and Keith Wardlaw, and Amy and Peter Kiezebrink.
Thank you to all our local government representatives including Mayors MacDonald of Essa, Mayor Dollin of Innisfil and Mayor Nuttall of Barrie and all our local councilors who joined us. A special thanks to MP Saunderson, MPP Khanjin and Premier Doug Ford for the honorary scrolls and support.
Thank you as well to the many businesses, farms, families and individuals who supported our Beef Show, Homecraft Division and other Fair competitions. Whether you contributed funding, prizes, materials, equipment, services or your time, your support helped strengthen the Fair and the community it serves.
To our vendors, exhibitors, competitors, agricultural partners, municipal partners, first responders, security personnel and emergency services: thank you for helping us create a safe, memorable and welcoming experience.
Most importantly, thank you to every family, neighbour and visitor who joined us. Seeing children discover the animals, families laugh together and generations share Fair traditions was deeply meaningful to me. Those moments are the reason all of this work matters. The memories made are what life is all about. For anyone i may have missed, My sincere apologies. You were all amazing and each one of you are valuable and important.
As the new General Manager, I am personally grateful for the welcome and encouragement I received from so many people. I am immensely proud of what this team accomplished and honoured to have worked alongside people who gave so much of themselves to make the Fair successful.
The Barrie Fair belongs to this community. Its success reflects the people who give their time, share their knowledge, support its traditions and continue to believe in its future.
Thank you for making the 2026 Barrie Fair possible. I look forward to building on what we accomplished and creating even more memories together in 2027.
With sincere appreciation and proud tears in my eyes,
Nathan Weaver
General Manager
Essa Agriplex & Barrie
Monday August 31, 2026
