The Charlotte County Fall Fair has become a fixture of rural New Brunswick life every September, but its roots stretch back more than a century.
The original St. Stephen Fair, held from 1909 until 1966, was once a stop on the province’s agricultural circuit, drawing crowds for livestock competitions and horse races. Revived briefly during the town’s 125th anniversary in 1996, the idea took hold, and by 2011 a committee of volunteers had formally brought the fair back to life.
What distinguishes it from other seasonal events is its refusal to mimic the carnival midway. Instead, the fair has been shaped into a celebration of rural skill and heritage. Livestock displays, homesteading demonstrations, and equestrian competitions sit alongside a community exhibit hall filled with crafts, paintings, photography, and homegrown talent. Historical reenactors move through the park in period costume, adding another layer of texture to a weekend devoted to tradition.
This year’s fair, on September 20 and 21, blends the familiar with the new. The popular Birds of Prey program returns, with falcons, owls, and eagles on display both at the park and in school visits beforehand. Reenactment groups will also to take part, and Sunday’s equestrian showcase will draw young riders from across the county. Food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music round out the weekend, ensuring the event is as social as it is educational.
For many, the appeal lies in its simplicity.
“It’s low-key but very social,” said longtime organizer Peter Heelis. “You meet people you haven’t seen in years. It’s a chance to celebrate our history and connect with the community.”
Admission is deliberately accessible—$35 per carload or $10 per person online, valid for both days—and once inside, nearly all programming is free. Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers begin planning each January, sustaining an event that now draws thousands.
The setting itself is part of the draw. Tractor rides at Ganong Nature Park offer sweeping views of the St. Croix River while narrating the land’s Indigenous and settler history. For many first-time visitors, the fair provides not only a day of diversion but a reminder of place—of where the county has been, and where it hopes to go.
Dogs, a familiar sight at the park year-round, are not permitted during the fair to protect livestock and wildlife.
