• The Markham Fair opens Thursday, October 1, celebrating its 182nd year.
  • 2026 also marks the fair’s 50th year at the Elgin Mills and McCowan Rd. grounds.
  • Fair President Devin King says the fair is for everybody, with more than 800 volunteers helping welcome over 50,000 visitors each year.
  • Returning attractions include monster trucks, truck and tractor pulls, the demolition derby, agricultural exhibits, livestock barns, and the midway.
  • New features this year include a Derby Cross demolition event, additional truck and tractor pull classes, the return of the farm stock class, new artisan vendors, and line dancing demonstrations.
  • Despite new attractions, King says the fair remains rooted in its agricultural heritage, showcasing local crops, flowers, livestock, and youth agricultural programs alongside family entertainment.

 

The Markham Fair opens it gates today, October 1, bringing together agriculture, entertainment, family attractions, and community spirit as it celebrates both its 182nd year and its Golden Jubilee at its current home.

For Devin King, President of the Markham fair, leading the organization during such a milestone year is especially meaningful.

“We’ll be celebrating our 182nd year, the fair was established in 1844,” King said. “We’re actually hitting another milestone… In 1977, the Markham Fair moved up to Elgin Mills and McCowan Rd., so this is our 50th fair on these grounds.”

Every year is a special year, but the 2026 fair is extra special, he added. “I’m honoured to be able to be the president for this.”

King said the event’s broad appeal has helped it remain a community tradition for generations.

“The fair is for everybody. All families, all ages. We really try to have something for everybody,” he explained. “You know, it’s as much for the community that comes to enjoy it as it is for our membership.”

The fair is powered by more than 800 volunteers and attracts more than 50,000 visitors annually. Returning attractions include the popular monster trucks, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and the midway.

Visitors will also find several new features this year. Among the additions is a new demolition derby category called Derby Cross.

“We’ve had a couple new classes for the demolition derby this year, cars race around and hit some jumps, so that will be cool.” The farm stock class has also returned, King said, “so local farmers can bring their farm tractors out and come give them a pull and see how they do.”

Other new attractions include additional artisan vendors, line dancing demonstrations, and lessons in the Crow’s Corral.

While the fair continues to evolve, King believes its agricultural foundation remains at the heart of the event.

“I’m a farmer…so that’s one of my favourite parts about the fair: getting together with the rest of the agricultural community, walking through the exhibits buildings, and seeing all the great crops, flowers, and plants that people have grown throughout the year,” he said. “Everybody’s excited to show off what what they’ve made.”

King also said the livestock barns and youth agricultural programs remain highlights each year: “You get to go into the livestock barns and see all the animals, see some of the young kids showing their 4 H calves off, and it’s exciting to be part of all that.”

Of course, for families, the midway remains one of the biggest draws.

“The Midway, that’s one of the main attractions that everybody loves,” the Fair president said. “I’ve got a 3 year old daughter myself, and as we’re setting up for the fair, she sees the rides getting put up, and all she wants to do is come back when the rides are ready.”

As final preparations are completed, King said the goal remains simple: welcome visitors and celebrate the work of the volunteers who make the fair possible.

“Every year is something different here at the Fair, and we’d love to get as many people out to enjoy it,” he said. “It’s a lot of hard work to put this on. Our great volunteers come together every year, and the biggest thing we want is the public just to come enjoy it and have as much fun as we have every year getting to put it on.”

Cover image taken by Randy Barba