Festivals and Fairs
“We can’t get over how much there is to do here. We’re planning another trip with friends in the fall.”
Food, flowers, teddy bears and dragon boats – they’re just a few of the themes featured in the area’s many fairs, festivals and parades. Enjoy all things culinary and take in the award-winning and increasingly popular Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival in September. Or get closer to the land that feeds you and check out the Perth County Plowing Match in August. Perth County has something to celebrate every season of the year – for the family, for couples and for friends.
Perth South/St. Marys
July’s Stonetown Festival celebrates all things St. Marys with entertainment, refreshments, sidewalk sales, street dance and fun for every age group. The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announces its new inductees every June and celebrates with – what else? – a celebrity baseball game. In July, join the fun at the KIN SummerFest, which includes midway rides and games, an antique farm and housewares exhibit, Kinsmen Dodgeball tournament, as well as the 38th annual Kinsmen refreshment tent (proof of age required). In August, it’s all about canines at the annual Shakestail Family Dog Festival near Staffa. Doggie contests, including cutest puppy and best trick, plus Frisbee dogs and sheep herding will entertain the entire family.
North Perth/Listowel
Think spring, get dreaming and get inspired. Head out to at the North Perth Home and Lifestyles Show in May. to see what dozens of exhibitors have on display and have to say and check out the Artisan House. This increasingly popular event promises to get you thinking about all kinds of projects and ways to spruce up your life. All ages will get that warm and fuzzy feeling at the annual North Perth Family Teddy Bear Playday, held the last Sunday in June. Locals in Atwood put on a patriotic display on Canada Day, featuring a parade, kid’s games and a ball tournament and everyone’s welcome to join the fun. In July, the four-day Listowel Agricultural Fair features an ambassador competition, live entertainment, tug of war, a demolition derby and the ever-popular carnival rides. And the festive season reliably kicks off every November in Listowel with the annual Santa Claus parade. Come March, dig out everything green in your closet and have yourself a wee bit of fun at Listowel’s annual Paddyfest, one of the largest Irish festivals of its kind in North America.
West Perth/Mitchell
Banish the winter blues, and come celebrate spring and all things stylish at The Optimist Fashion Show in April, which has featured clothing from Maatzys, Tan Jay and Reitmans. The Mitchell Kinettes’ annual Rubber Ducky Race in May is a delight to behold and if you enjoy things automotive or simply relish ‘the good old days,’ then check out the Classic Car Show in June. Mitchell’s popular Cornfest takes place in August and features loads of fabulous food, plenty of entertainment and of course corn and more corn – cooked in an old steam engine, as well as the event’s annual Ribfest. Corndaze, also a part of this family-friendly event, includes games, prizes and children’s activities.
Perth East/Shakespeare/Millbank/Milverton
The Forbidden Ride in May is a must for all motorcyclists ready to experience what the beautiful county of Perth is all about. For the rest of us, the ride is a must see. Dozens of ‘biker’ enthusiasts depart from Shakespeare and head out across the county to enjoy a fun-filled, high-profile ride. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure during Millbank’s community-wide garage sale in May. Milverton’s Ram Rodeo takes place in June at the fairgrounds and kicks off with a rodeo parade of cowboys and cowgirls strutting their stuff. In July, check out the annual Amish School Auction in Perth East and see what bargains await you. Be sure to return the second weekend after Labour Day for the Milverton Agricultural Society's annual Fall Fair.
Stratford
Stratford is home to the world-famous Stratford Shakespeare Festival, but also to a growing number of festivals of a different nature. In July and August, Stratford Summer Music, billed as ‘Stratford’s OTHER festival,’ puts on more than 100 events, from concerts and cabarets, to exhibits and discussions, many featuring such world-class performers as Ben Heppner, Sylvia Tyson and Isabel Bayrakdarian. May’s Springworks indie theatre & arts festival showcases new and innovative works at Factory 163. The annual Swan Parade in April is a family favourite and keeps growing, each year drawing hundreds to witness the city’s famous swans being bagpiped from their winter quarters down to the river. September is a delicious month with the Savour Stratford Perth County Culinary Festival and the Stratford Garlic Festival.
For more Festivals and Fairs, check out our Event Calendar.
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