A Home Grown Tradition: The Islands’ Fall Fairs
Fall fairs are an annual tradition all across Canada, but there is definitely something special about one held on a Southern Gulf Island. Our three fairs celebrate the rural lifestyle and agrarian roots that are so central to the region’s character and culture.
From Mayne to Pender to Salt Spring Island, each end-of-summer event holds a special place in our hearts and community. Filled with an abundance of food, fun, and farm-fresh produce, our fairs are the best reason to spend a few days in the Southern Gulf Islands this fall.
What’s in store for you at a Southern Gulf Island fall fair
But maybe you’ve never experienced the magic of a Fall Fair. What can you expect?
Of course, you’ll find exhibits featuring an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Tables are practically toppling over with peaches and pumpkins. There are barns filled with show-stopping chickens, geese, and sheep. And you’ll find the community halls decorated with finely crafted quilts, knits, and basketry; plus preserves, baked goods, and brews.
But it’s not only pumpkins, chickens, and handmade quilts. A Fall Fair is a day packed with incredible demos, fun activities for kids, local entertainment — and yes, a prize-winning zucchini or two.
A jam-packed schedule
No pun intended – each day of the fair has a jam-packed schedule. Expect a full day of events starting with produce and animal judging in the morning, non-stop music, and big-draw events like parades and contests, sprinkled throughout the weekend.
Plan to arrive early to ensure you have time to wander the fairgrounds, explore the exhibitions, catch a few artisan demos, and grab a snack (or two!) from the delicious local vendors.
A wholesome family outing
A Fall Fair is an ideal destination for kids. Not only are there contests and awards dedicated to junior entrants (think Lego creations and custom Mr. Potato Heads with real-life potatoes), but you’ll also find kid-friendly entertainment around every corner. From face painting and balloon animals on Mayne to the annual parade on Pender to the chicken races on Salt Spring, the only problem might be how to fit it all in.
The best part is most of these activities are free with admission and admission to Fall Fairs are always priced affordably. On Salt Spring, for example, it’s $6 for youth and free for children under 6. All the money you spend at the fairs goes to local artisans and growers, and the entry fee directly supports the community’s Farmer’s Institute or Agricultural Society.
A little friendly competition
Who wouldn’t want to casually mention to friends, family, and neighbours that they won the People’s Choice Apple Award at the Salt Spring Fall Fair or the best Berry Pie on Pender? For the folks entering veggies, preserves, and eggs to the exhibit hall — there are some real stakes to the judging.
You’ll find a friendly but competitive edge among Fall Fair participants, whether it’s in the show-stopping poultry contestants on Salt Spring or the parade decor judging on Mayne. Winners love to showcase their awards long after the fair has wrapped up. Many farm stands around the islands are proudly decorated with their Fall Fair winnings from years past.
Where to experience a Southern Gulf Island Fall Fair
Mayne Island Fall Fair
Aug 16th, 2025
A long-running fair is held on Mayne by the Island’s Agricultural Society. Now in its 99th year, it boasts a few extra special traditions you aren’t likely to catch on the mainland like the Fall Fair Parade, n eccentric collection of wildly decorated floats, bikes, and animals.
Other not-to-miss highlights include the zucchini races (with real-life zucchinis of monstrous proportions) and a full lineup of local musical talent.
Pender Island Fall Fair
Aug 23rd, 2025
The Pender Island Fall Fair was first held in 1932—a time when there were only 400 permanent residents on the island.
According to the archives, the total budget for the first year was just $100, but the fair had more than 600 contest entries. Some highlight submissions from that year included 48 pounds of flour, a side of bacon, and a gallon of paint. In 1932 the top winner took home $15 for their valiant efforts – equivalent to about $335 today. At the time, $15 was enough for the winner to take a vacation.
The Pender Fall Fair merges several island traditions into one: the farmers market, the fair, and the parade. Don’t forget to fit in sheep shearing, wool spinning, corn shucking, and the sweetest event of them all – the Berry Pie Contest.
Salt Spring Island Fall Fair
Sept 6th & 7th, 2025
In 1895, the Salt Spring Island Farmers Institute was founded, and one year later, they held the very first Fall Fair. The Salt Spring event is now one of the oldest running in the province, which is why it’s hyper-focused on local agricultural traditions.
Don’t miss the sheepdog demonstration with working sheep from Ruckle Farm or the blacksmithing demonstration showcasing skills you don’t see often in our modern era. The poultry barn is also a big draw, with some of the best-looking roosters and hens for – quite literally – miles around.
The Southern Gulf Island Fall Fairs: home-grown and family friendly
We’d like to think that the Southern Gulf Islands Fall Fairs are extra sweet because of the remarkable character of the community they’ve been built by. Chock full of our local artisans, musicians, crafts, and home-grown veggies, there is a whole lot to love in these annual celebrations.
Written by Jessica McKeil
