Thank You, Volunteers
On the evening of October 6, directors, volunteers and friends of the Uxbridge Fair gathered for an informal wrap-up and volunteer appreciation night. It was a chance to share a meal, swap stories from the weekend, and say a proper thank you to the people who make the fair happen year after year.
And what a year it was. Sunshine held for all three days in September, the crowds came out, and just about every section had something to celebrate. As President Rob Ashton put it, every year we wonder how we will pull it off, and every year this dedicated crew turns it into a machine that just rolls along.
Celebrating Dave and Deb Dickie
The evening opened by honouring Dave and Deb Dickie. The 2026 fair was Dave’s last as Fair Manager, and by his own account it was the smoothest fair we have seen in years. It was a fitting way for him to step back, and the room made sure he and Deb knew how much their years of service have meant to this organization.
Rob also unveiled a new award named in their honour: the Dave and Debbie Dickie Honourary Lifetime Volunteer Award. The plaque will be kept in the fair office, where future recipients will be added in recognition of the members whose effort and commitment keep the Uxbridge Fair thriving.
Highlights from Around the Fairgrounds
Several section leads took the mic to share a few words about their year.
Tractor pull. Gerrit Herrema thanked the fair board for its support as the tractor pull team marked a special milestone. The standalone 50th Anniversary Local Tractor Pull on Thursday night, followed by the fair’s own pull on Friday, made for the first two nights of pulling in Uxbridge in more than 30 years. The stands were as full as anyone could remember, and the team paid tribute to the people who got the pull started all those years ago.
Sponsors. Roberta Bustard reported a record-breaking year for sponsorship, including 11 new sponsors. She thanked Bev Latva for pounding the pavement, Rachel for keeping on top of the follow-up, and the tractor pull team for bringing several new supporters on board. A few businesses even reached out on their own to ask how they could help.
Vendors. Sarah van Wolde welcomed quite a few new vendors this year, and some are already asking for double spots in 2027. Ideas are brewing too, including local farm stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Horticulture. Bev Latva thanked the horticultural building volunteers for a true team effort, with wonderful exhibits and plenty of entries. Carolyn Lovdal agreed it was a pleasure.
Car show. Todd Sinclair reported about 102 cars at the first-year car show on Sunday, along with a cheerful reminder that the cars helped draw a great Sunday crowd. The team is already planning a few small changes for next year.
A special thank you to the Uxbridge Clays Shooting Club for hosting our evening free of charge. Dinner was a community effort as well. Thanks go to Tony Earl for supplying the meats, Laurie and Bryant for donating the corn, Joel for getting the cooking underway early, Roberta for shopping for the cold drinks, and Bev and Guy Latva for organizing the evening. Friends and colleagues from the shooting club also pitched in with setup and serving.
Looking Ahead
Interim Secretary Doug van Wolde closed with a request for everyone’s help. The Society is looking for a new Secretary, ideally someone already connected to the fair community who would like to grow into the role over time. Think of someone with Dave’s dedication who could help guide the fair for the next 20 or 30 years. If someone comes to mind, please point them to the posting on our website or reach out to us directly.
To every volunteer, director, sponsor, vendor and exhibitor: thank you. The Uxbridge Fair is what it is because of you. Enjoy the photo gallery from the evening, and we look forward to seeing you as planning for 2027 gets underway.
