Highgate District Agricultural Society

06/01/2026

Our Canada Day BBQ marks one of the main fundraising events supporting the Highgate Fair each year. This year we are looking forward to hosting our BBQ on Wednesday, July 1st from 4:30 - 6:00pm. It promises to be a highlight community event of the summer, when we come together to celebrate Canada Day and raise funds to support this year's 172nd Annual Highgate Fair.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 each, available from any member of our Board of Directors, The Ridgetown Independent News or by contacting us at [email protected] or (519) 859-9272

Details are on our website at: https://hdas.weebly.com/2026-canada-day-bbq.html

05/29/2026

THANK YOU!

We were absolutely blown away by the response we received from the community about the opportunity to operate the canteen at the Highgate ball park this season. It was a reminder of just what an amazing community we are part of, and how many people are willing to step forward to support community activities such as our local ball associations. In fairness to all those who responded, we started with the first response received and worked our way through those who expressed interest until we confirmed someone who met all the requirements.

We're pleased to have lined up someone to operate the canteen and provide some snacks and refreshments to the players (and the parents who spend countless hours at the ball park each week) this season.

Here's to a fantastic ball season 2026 to all the players who will spend time on the ball diamonds in Highgate.

05/23/2026

We're gearing up for this year's Highgate Fair - celebrating 172 years of fall country fair fun. To help celebrate and make this year's fair our best yet, we are calling on vendors who would like to take part in our craft and vendor show. Space is limited, so please contact us as soon as possible to reserve your spot at this year's Fair.

Details can be found on our website, along with the link to the application form (printable as well as online application option).

https://hdas.weebly.com/2026-vendor--craft-show.html

Reach out if you have any questions. We can be reached at [email protected]

We hope to see you at the Fair!

05/23/2026

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and would like to be part of the baseball community in Highgate? We are looking for an individual or organization to operate the Highgate Baseball Park Canteen this coming ball season. We are looking for someone who would be willing to operate the canteen on Tuesdays and Thursdays (evenings when our youth teams are playing at the park). The Highgate District Agricultural Society will provide the canteen facility and insurance coverage free of charge, with the individual or organization providing the items to be sold (and retaining 100% of the profits).

Anyone who is interested in operating the canteen is asked to contact the Secretary / Treasurer by early June ([email protected] or (519) 859-9272) to discuss their interest and potential for operating the canteen.

05/10/2026

Congratulations to Jason Van Maanen on winning our Membership Appreciation Contest, and being the recipient of two tickets to the upcoming baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays!

Thank you to all the Members who entered to win, and to all our Members for your ongoing support and participation with the Highgate District Agricultural Society

05/07/2026

As we enter this year's busy spring rush, please pay attention to yourself (if you are a farmer or in the agricultural industry) or those around you who are. Let's be mindful of taking care of those important people who grow the food we put on our tables.

🚨 During and throughout the busy planting season, we emphasize the need for farmers to stay connected to loved ones and their community. Your to-do list is long, and the many hours spent in the tractor cab can be isolating.

Perform a wellness circle check on yourself and others. 💭Reach out and call a friend, or ask the neighbour down the road to go on a parts run with you.

We're stronger together.

For more wellness resources, visit: https://bit.ly/4aeo0qs

04/20/2026

Please consider helping to shape the future of Agricultural Society programs and supports in Ontario by participating in this survey being administered by Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS)

Please take a few minutes to answer to complete the 𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲.
OAAS is looking to hear from their members.

https://form.jotform.com/oaasconvention/oaas-stakeholder-survey

Please share with your members and complete by May 31st.

04/20/2026

It's National Volunteer Week, and we want to say THANK YOU!

The Society would like to extend a huge, heartfelt wish of appreciation and gratitude to all the Volunteers out there who give of their time, talent, passion, and experience. It is thanks to your contributions and commitment that the Highgate District Agricultural Society and its annual Highgate Fair is the success it has been for the last 172 years.

There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year for all age groups, abilities, interests and time availability. Volunteering with the fair can even count towards volunteer hours that students need for educational requirements. If you are interested, check out of volunteering page for more information.

https://hdas.weebly.com/volunteering.html

04/18/2026

The Highgate District Agricultural Society is celebrating 172 years of being part of our community and we wouldn't be where we are today without the support from our Members. From volunteering their time and expertise, to providing sponsorships and donations, to attending the various events and activities that we host throughout the year, our Members truly are the fabric that makes our organization great.

As an acknowledgement to all those who have chosen to support the Society through an annual membership, we are offering up a special contest as a way of saying "Thank you" for all your support. All members in good standing who are at least 18 years of age or older (as of January 1, 2026) are invited to enter for a chance to win two tickets to the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers baseball game taking place on May 17, 2026 at Comercia Park, Detroit, with the opening pitch at 1:40pm. Retail value of the tickets is $250.

Contest details, including how to enter and the complete contest rules and regulations, can be found on our website. Contest entry opens at 12:00pm on April 18, 2026 and closes at 12:00pm on May 9, 2026, with the draw taking place on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The winner will be contacted on May 10th to complete the skill testing question in order to claim the prize. The results of the contest will be published on our website, as well as social media, on May 11, 2026.

If you aren't currently a member in good standing, no problem! You can renew your membership or become a new Member with the Society on our website. For only $5, you can be part of a fantastic organization, participate as an exhibitor at our annual Highgate Fair, and be eligible to participate in our Member Thank You contest. Membership payment must be received in order to be eligible for the draw. Details on how to renew your membership, or register for a new membership, can be found on our website under Become a Member.

We want to thank the team at 99.1 CKXS - Chatham-Kent's Greatest Hits for their generous donation of the tickets for the contest.

02/08/2026

Our 2026 Sponsorship Packages are here!

Since 1854, the Highgate District Agricultural Society has been central to life in Highgate and the surrounding area; actively engaged in community events - including our annual Country Fair. In addition to the Society’s role in promoting, preserving, and celebrating rural life in Ontario, it also plays an important role in maintaining our local park, playground, and baseball facilities which are enjoyed by members of our community throughout the year. As we look to the exciting year ahead, we hope you will consider contributing as one of this year’s sponsors.

Each year the Society looks to the generous support of local businesses and organizations who want to be part of this community tradition. We are currently seeking sponsors for 2026, including support for our 172nd annual Highgate Fair which will be taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The Fair is a community celebration day for both adults and children alike, and is the highlight of the Society’s annual lineup of events. We have four different sponsorship packages to fit every price range. Each package has different options to promote your business as a way of saying "Thank you" for your support of the tradition of the Highgate Fair and the ongoing costs associated with operating the local park, playground, and baseball facilities.

Please reach out to any member of the Board, or our Secretary / Treasurer if you have questions or would like to be a sponsor this year.

Since 1854, the Highgate District Agricultural Society has been central to life in Highgate and the surrounding area; actively engaged in community events - including our annual Country Fair. In...