About
The Fair
For more than two centuries, the Williamstown Fair has been the gathering place for thousands of area residents of our rural community, as well as many visitors from afar. Majestic pine trees, manicured lawns and beautiful well maintained heritage style buildings provide the ideal setting for “Canada’s Oldest Annual Fair”
The St. Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society takes great pride in presenting a Fair which is well recognized as a “Heritage Fair with a family friendly atmosphere” with exhibits, programs, competitions and entertainment representing the rural agricultural way of life.
The Fairgrounds
The Williamstown Fairgrounds is a beautiful site featuring majestic pine trees and beautiful heritage style buildings. Set in the center of the historic Village of Williamstown, it provides the ideal setting for “Canada’s Oldest Annual Fair”.
The fairgrounds were granted to the St Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society by Sir John Johnson in 1812 so that an agricultural exhibition could be held annually in the Village of Williamstown. More than 200 years later, a year has never been missed.
Message from the President
For over two centuries, the St Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society has been the guardian of the Williamstown Fairgrounds, nurturing a tradition of agricultural excellence and community spirit. Established in the early 19th century, our society has played a pivotal role in promoting agricultural education and preserving the cultural heritage of the region. The fairgrounds have been a gathering place for generations, hosting events that celebrate the rural lifestyle and foster a sense of community. As we continue to honour our past, we are committed to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same rich traditions.
Jim McDonell
President, St Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society
Our Rich Heritage
A Legacy of Stewardship
For over two centuries, the St Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society has been the guardian of the Williamstown Fairgrounds, nurturing a tradition of agricultural excellence and community spirit. Established in the early 19th century, our society has played a pivotal role in promoting agricultural education and preserving the cultural heritage of the region. The fairgrounds have been a gathering place for generations, hosting events that celebrate the rural lifestyle and foster a sense of community. As we continue to honor our past, we are committed to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same rich traditions.
Celebrating Excellence in Agriculture
Award
SLVAS Merit Award
The St Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society Merit Award is extended to a person or persons directly associated with the Williamstown Fair in recognition of valuable and appreciated service.
Past Recipients
1972 Gordon Sandilands, Jim Humphries, Oliver McGee
1973 Pat Francis
1974 Anna Mae Wightman
1975 Doris Vogelsang, Don Martin
1976 Jean McGee, Johnson Raymond
1977 Mac Edwards, Wilfred MacNaughton, John Peters (Lancaster), Helen MacMillan
1978 Margaret Laplante, Frances Chretien
1979 Catherine Miller, Hugh Blair
1980 Brian Greer, Carolyn McRae, Dorothy Croll, Alex Mullins
1981 John Peters (Martintown)
1982 Isabel McCuaig, Robert McDonell
1983 Sue Harrington, Delard Dubeau, Michael Schach
1984 Audrey Morris
1985 Darlene Aitken, Joan MacDonald, Dona Girling
1990 Aggie Petrie, Duncan MacArthur
1991 Alex MacDonald
1992 Coleman MacDonald, Milton MacDonald
1994 Sign-It, Cornwall, Joan P. MacDonald
1995 Ruth Mowat
1996 Garnet MacDougall
1997 Randolph Ross
1998 Glenn Jurchuk
1999 Amy Ward
2000 Ralph Gordon
2001 The Township of South Glengarry
2002 Betty & Alex MacDonald
2003 George Runions
2004 Jay and Nancy Woollven
2005 Clarence Robertson, Kevin MacLeod, Diane Lunan, Don Clark, Carolyn Laing
2006 Allan Paradis, Bruce Overbury, Ralph Dixon
2007 Ron Eamer, Robert (Poon) Pilon
2008 Women’s Institutes of South Glengarry: Martintown, Picnic Grove & Bainsville
2009 Williamstown Green Thumbs Horticultural Society
2010 Robert Winn & Tom Ayerst
2011 John R. MacDonell & Bob Donkers
2012 Nor’Westers & Loyalist Museum
2013 Liette Deschambault, Scott Booth
2014 Ray Howes, Gary Robertson
2015 Ron Graham, Bruce Kennedy & Cheryl Wightman
2016 Ron Aubin & Roch Aubin
2017 Mary Reagan
2018 Tim MacDonald
2019 Beverly Runions
2020 Chelsea Hope
2021 Marlin Orchards & Garden Centre
2022 Duncan Whiteman
2023 Thelma Dupuis, Melanie Gilmour
Award
Ontario Agricultural Service Diploma
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Agricultural Service Diploma is extended to a person who has contributed directly to the agricultural community.
Past Recipients
1972 Wilfred MacDonald
1973 Clark McDonell
1974 Archibald MacDonell, Oliver McGee
1975 Lloyd McRae
1976 Stanley Wightman
1977 Jack Fisher
1978 Clark McCuaig
1979 M.C. “Mac” McRae
1980 J.C. Watt
1981 Cattanach MacLennan
1982 Joseph Chretien
1983 Archie Robertson
1984 Wilfred MacNaughton
1985 Donald Thomson
1987 Francis Chretien
1989 Robert McDonell
1990 Bruce Munro
1991 Cathy Stewart
1992 Grant Cameron
1993 Alfred Vogel
1994 John Peters
1995 Murray Howes
1996 Lyall MacLachlan
1997 Dr. Brian MacNaughton, D.V.M.
1998 Randolph Ross
1999 Dr. Ian MacNaughton, D.V.M.
2000 Gordon Ferguson
2001 Mackie Robertson
2002 Martin Lang
2003 Kerry McDonald
2004 Charles Sangster
2005 Five volunteer Fire Departments serving South Glengarry: Glen Walter, Lancaster, Martintown, North Lancaster, Williamstown
2006 Donald Johnston, Nancy Beerwort
2007 Fiona MacPherson
2008 Sonny & Aggie Petrie
2009 Margaret Morris – Glengarry Fine Cheese
2010 Gary Fournier & Family
2011 Phyllis MacMaster
2012 Glengarry Federation of Agriculture
2013 Glengarry County 4-H Association
2014 Gordon & Keith Wells and Family
2015 Glengarry Holstein Club
2016 Campbell Murray
2017 Glengarry N’orWesters and Loyalist Museum
2018 Summerglen Farm – The MacDonell Family
2019 Carry On Farm, Carry On Drainage, Jay’s Excavation – The Vogel Family
2020 The Wightman Family
2021 Kevin & Tammy Johnston
2022 Doug Kivits
2023 Charlie Osborne
Recognition
Past Presidents
The Williamstown Fairgrounds thrive thanks to the dedication of our community. Each year, we come together to create unforgettable events, and we owe a special thanks to those exceptional individuals who have stepped up to lead the Society. Their commitment is truly appreciated.
Past Presidents
1904-1906 R. Sangster
1907 Wm. Mitchell
1908 D.A. Ross
1909 Wm. Wightman
1910 Alpin McGregor
1911 Norman McCosham
1912 Ewen Dingwall
1913 William Wightman
1914 C.W. Crosswell
1915 J.J. McArthur
1916 John Burgess
1917 Wm. Mitchell
1918-1919 H.S. Kinloch
1920-1921 A.D. Loynachan
1922 Wm. Mitchell
1923 Peter McNeil
1924 Dr. D. Demoulin
1925 D. McNaughton
1926-1927 Scott Fraser
1928 D.A. Fraser
1929-1930 Geo. H. Goodfellow
1931 Robert Edgar
1932 Jas. A. Sangster
1933 D.A. Condie
1934-1936 D.S. McIntosh
1937-1938 Howard Ross
1939-1941 Wilfred MacDonald
1942-1943 J.K. Condie
1944-1945 L.B. Murray
1946-1948 Mac Cummings
1949-1951 John McLennan
1952-1953 L.C. Kennedy
1954 J.C. Watt
1955-1956 Ken Barton
1957-1958 Salem Thomson
1959-1960 Neil Sangster
1961-1962 Gordon Sandilands
1963-1964 S.J. McLeod
1965-1966 Archibald MacDonell
1967-1968 D.C. Murray
1969-1970 Clark McCuaig
1971-1972 D.A. Grant
1973-1974 C.M. Edwards
1975-1976 Wilfred MacNaughton
1977-1978 Oliver McGee
1979-1980 Francis Chretien
1981-1982 Robert McDonell
1983-1984 Hugh Blair
1985-1986 Brian Greer
1987-1988 Garnet MacDougall
1989-1990 D. Randolph Ross
1991-1992 Ron Eamer
1993-1994 Garry O’Connell
1995-1996 Ray Howes
1997-1998 Jay Woollven
1999-2000 Cheryl Wightman
2001-2002 Clarence Robertson
2003-2004 Bruce Kennedy
2005-2006 Gary Robertson
2007-2008 Ron Graham
2009-2010 Alex MacDonald
2011-2012 Jerome MacDonell
2013-2014 Rick Marvell
2015-2016 Pierre Roy
2017-2018 Hamish MacDonell
2019-2020 Mike Seguin
2021-2022 Chelsea Hope
2022-2023 Neil Dixon
Shop Online
We’ve got swag! If you are an avid fairgoer, these Williamstown Fair branded garments are for you!