This past Saturday, I had the chance to visit the 170th Spencerville Fair for the very first time. I’ve heard wonderful things about it, but what really drew me in this year was the RCMP Musical Ride. The last time I saw them, I was about eight years old, living in Cambridge, Ontario. I still remember the pride, pageantry, and power of the horses, and I knew this was something I wanted to share with my daughter.

I went along with my mum, my daughter, and a close friend who joined us at the fair. It felt like a proper family outing—the kind where generations come together for a day filled with traditions, laughter, and a touch of magic.

Getting Ready for the Fair

As any mum of a toddler knows, a fair outing means planning ahead. I packed the usual essentials: a well-stocked diaper bag, extra snacks and drinks, and some layers of clothing since mornings can still feel chilly this time of year. Luckily, Spencerville isn’t too far from us, which made the commute easy and stress-free.

We arrived around 11 a.m., and immediately hit a snag with parking. The signs weren’t very clear, so we ended up leaving the car on the side of the road and making a short walk over to the fairgrounds. As luck would have it, the timing was perfect—we were greeted by the start of the parade.

The parade seemed to go on forever, filled with a mix of floats, local groups, and endless trucks and cars. My daughter jumped a few times when the truck drivers honked their horns, and although it startled her, she took it all in with wide eyes. It had a lovely mix of both the traditional small-town parade feel and some more modern touches. By the time we made our way through one of the entrances, the fair energy was already in full swing.

Exploring the Fairgrounds

The barns were our first stop. There were two large exhibitor barns, plus ones dedicated to poultry, cattle, horses, and even a learning barn. My daughter was curious but timid, preferring to watch the animals from a safe distance rather than touch them. One of the highlights here was seeing the calves that were only five days old. They were kept in a small fenced area where people could reach out and touch them, which made it a sweet and memorable stop for families.

Later, we peeked into the horse competition barn where we caught some of the events. We watched as the horses pulled large wagons and performed careful step patterns. When a team of six horses came toward the fence pulling a wagon at speed, it was honestly a little scary—the sheer size and power of the animals was overwhelming up close.

The Highlight: RCMP Musical Ride

Of course, the main event for us was the RCMP Musical Ride. Seeing it again as an adult was a completely different experience. Bruce Wylie from Brockville’s 104.9 MyFM served as the MC, which added a local touch, especially since I listen to him regularly.

The ride itself was breathtaking. The precision of the riders, the elegance of the horses, and the use of Canadian songs—from Nickelback to Shania Twain—made the show feel both patriotic and fun. The standout moment was when the riders formed the iconic “dome,” where they came together in the centre with their flags raised. It’s the same formation that appears on the Canadian $50 bill, and the crowd erupted in cheers when it happened.

For my daughter, it was pure magic. She stood on the seat next to me while I held her, watching intently though a little distracted at times, as you’d expect for her age. Still, the scale of the horses and the show captured her imagination in a way I know she’ll remember. At the very end, we even had the chance to get up close to one of the horses. She didn’t quite have the courage to reach out, but I did, and it was a special shared moment between us.

Food & Midway

After all that excitement, it was time for food. The fairgrounds had plenty of choice, with trucks serving everything from tacos to donair delights. One of the busiest food trucks was from “Fat Les,” a well-known restaurant in Brockville.

We decided to keep things simple—an ice cream in a cup and a waffle on a stick from Ms. Maple. The ice cream was a disappointment, oddly greasy in texture, but the waffle was delicious (even if it took a long time to make).

The midway was buzzing, filled with rides, games, and families everywhere. It was fairly busy, so we didn’t stay long, but the energy was contagious. The cloudy weather worked in our favour—it kept the temperature comfortable and made wandering around much easier than if the sun had been blazing down.

Comparing Fairs: Rural vs. City

Having been to a mix of fairs over the years, I couldn’t help but compare Spencerville to others I’ve attended:

  • Rural Fairs – Lansdowne, Elmira (sadly gone now), Apple Butter in Kitchener-Waterloo, Rockton World’s Fair (a family favourite), and Merrickville (though last year’s fair was a disappointment).

  • City Fairs – The CNE in Toronto, with its big lights, rides, and energy, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, which brings a more polished showcase of agriculture, food, and livestock competitions each year.

There’s something comforting about rural fairs. They have a slower pace, a stronger sense of community, and you can feel the history in every exhibit and horse show. The Spencerville Fair gave us all of that, wrapped up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

A Memory to Keep

The day left me with a memory I know I’ll carry forward. Sharing the RCMP Musical Ride with my daughter and mum felt like passing on a tradition—three generations experiencing the same pride and awe. From the endless parade to the five-day-old calves, to the cheering crowd as the RCMP riders formed the dome, it was a day filled with little moments that stitched together into something bigger.

Fairs like Spencerville remind me why it’s so important to embrace local traditions. They’re not just about food and entertainment—they’re about creating moments that bind families together and connect us to our communities.

✨ Have you ever been to the Spencerville Fair or seen the RCMP Musical Ride in person? I’d love to hear your favourite fair memories in the comments below!