The 171st Spencerville Fair delivered another memorable weekend, combining great entertainment, agricultural traditions, family fun, and a strong sense of community that has defined the fair for generations.
Friday Night Belonged to Rock Fans
While Mother Nature had other plans for AC/DC’s highly anticipated concert at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, Spencerville fairgoers got the next best thing.
Toronto-based AC/DC tribute act Hells Bells stormed the Big Tent on Friday night and delivered a powerhouse performance that rivaled what many fans would expect from Brian Johnson and company themselves.
For nearly two hours, the band ripped through AC/DC classics including Hells Bells, Thunderstruck, Back in Black and just about every fan favourite in between. During For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), giant cannons on either side of the stage blasted massive plumes of smoke over the crowd, adding an extra layer of spectacle to an already energetic performance.
The atmosphere inside the tent was electric. By the end of the night, I had practically lost my voice singing along. It was easily one of the best tribute band performances I’ve seen in years.
Opening the evening were Ottawa-area classic rockers Lower Road, who got the crowd warmed up with a strong set full of familiar rock favourites.
A Rising Star Returns
Saturday night brought a dramatic shift in tone as smoke cannons and screaming guitars gave way to banjos, fiddles and Canadian country music.
Kicking off the evening was Ty Wilson, making a return appearance on the Spencerville Fair stage. Since his last performance at the fair, Wilson’s profile has grown considerably.
Recent accomplishments include a second-place finish at the 2025 Music in Motion Canada Awards for Chasin’ Headlights, a ranking among the world’s Top 50 Canadian country artists by Chartmetric, and a six-week run on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country chart with Born To Lose, which peaked at No. 7.
Wilson also introduced a new addition to the band, with Allison Leroux joining on fiddle.
Ty is one of the reasons I enjoy supporting emerging artists. Few things are more rewarding than watching an artist grow year after year, steadily building momentum while honing their craft. At the pace he’s moving, it won’t be long before he’s returning to Spencerville as a headliner, while another young artist gets the opportunity to open the show.
Tim & The Glory Boys Win Over the Crowd
Headlining Saturday night were Tim & The Glory Boys.
Having followed the band for several years and spoken with frontman Tim Neufeld on multiple occasions, I knew what kind of show to expect. For much of the audience, however, this was their first introduction to the band.
Neufeld acknowledged that reality early in the set with a laugh.
“Do you mind if we play a new song for you tonight? Actually, for most of you, all of our songs are new songs, so this will just be another one of those.”
It took a little while for the crowd to warm up, but by the midway point of the show they were fully invested.
One of the night’s standout moments came when Neufeld led the band off the stage and into the crowd. Setting up near a decorative fireplace in the bar area, they delivered an intimate acoustic-style segment featuring Country Roads, bluegrass hymns, The Hockey Song, Ring of Fire, and a singalong country medley that included I Like It, I Love It, Friends in Low Places and Wagon Wheel.
Anyone who wasn’t already on board with Tim & The Glory Boys was by that point.
The crowd enthusiastically sang along during the band’s cover of Three Little Birds, while songs like Float kept the energy high throughout the tent.
The night concluded with their hit single When You Know You Know, sending fans home on a high note.
A Farewell Flight for the Snowbirds
One of the biggest attractions of the entire weekend came Sunday afternoon with a farewell flyover by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.
For more than five decades, the Snowbirds have been one of Canada’s most recognizable symbols in aviation. Earlier this year, it was announced that the 2026 season would be their last before a planned transition to a new aircraft platform later in the decade.
I’ve had the opportunity to watch the Snowbirds perform numerous times over the years, but Sunday’s appearance felt different.
Knowing it was likely my final chance to see the iconic Tutor jets in action made the performance especially meaningful. The next chapter for the team may be exciting, but it’s hard to imagine the Snowbirds without the aircraft that helped make them legendary.
More Than Just Music
While the entertainment lineup drew plenty of attention, the Spencerville Fair remains much more than a concert venue.
The midway featured rides and games for kids and adults alike, while truck and tractor pulls and the ever-popular demolition derby kept crowds entertained throughout the weekend.
At its core, however, the fair remains rooted in agriculture. Horse shows, livestock exhibits and agricultural demonstrations continue to celebrate the region’s rural heritage.
One particularly impressive achievement belonged to a friend of mine and member of local band Cajon and the Hollow Bodies, who claimed top honours for the largest pumpkin. Weighing in at more than 900 pounds, it was an astonishing sight.
Considering I struggle to grow a one-pound pumpkin, I can only imagine the dedication required to grow one that size.
The Heart of Rural Ontario
Country fairs have always been woven into the fabric of rural life. They bring communities together, celebrate local traditions and create memories that last long after the midway lights go dark.
For 171 years, the Spencerville Fair has done exactly that.
Whether you came for the music, the midway, the demolition derby, the livestock competitions or the Snowbirds, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
As another successful edition comes to a close, one thing is certain:
I’m already looking forward to returning for the 172nd Spencerville Fair.
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