Country charm and civic pride: 159 years of the Lombardy Fair
LAURIE WEIR
LOMBARDY — If it’s the Civic long weekend, it’s time to head to Rideau Lakes for some old-fashioned fun at the Lombardy Fair.
Now celebrating its 159th year, the fair takes place August 1 to 3, 2025. The fairgrounds come alive with agricultural exhibits, a midway for young children, and live entertainment on the park stage. It’s perfect for locals and visitors alike.
Friday night features the Junior Fair Ambassador competition at 6 p.m., followed by the official opening at 7 p.m. and the always rowdy Demolition Derby, a bash-up, bang-up crowd-pleaser.
Day-long agricultural fun continues with 4-H dairy achievement exhibits, poultry and goat shows, and homecraft displays throughout the weekend. Visitors will find garden produce entries, youth crafts and baking, and plenty of opportunities to engage with the people who grow, craft and compete across multiple agricultural classes.
All weekend long, a petting farm will be on site, and kids can see baby chicks hatch in the incubator. Check out the hay bale toss competition and watch bees make honey in a see-through display. Ice cream and fairground snacks will be available all weekend long.
There’s a small midway geared toward children 12 and under, plenty of picnic space, accessible buildings, and daily entertainment under the trees near the stage.
The Lombardy Agricultural Society, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group based just outside Smiths Falls, organizes the fair along with several events throughout the year, including dances, barbecues, a rodeo, and community family days.
Admission is $10 for general entry, with free access for children 10 and under. On-site parking is free.
Top 10 things not to miss at the 2025 Lombardy Fair
1. Demolition Derby (Friday, 7 p.m.) – high-energy, metal-crunching fun.
2. Highland Cow Clipping Demo (Friday, 6 p.m.) and Highland Cow Show (Saturday at noon).
3. Goat Show (Sunday, 11 a.m.) – a growing favourite for animal lovers of all ages.
4. Two-Man Shotgun Penning (Saturday, 11 a.m.) – fast-paced teamwork on horseback.
5, Cornhole Tournament (Saturday, 4 p.m.) – toss for glory and local bragging rights.
6. Kids’ Tractor Pull (Sunday, noon) – tiny competitors pulling their weight and then some.
7. Tractor Pull (Sunday, noon) – the engines roar, the dirt flies, and the crowd gets loud.
8. Frying Pan Throwing Competition (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) – test your aim and arm.
9. Chicken Pie Bingo – feathered fun all weekend long.
10. Park Stage Entertainment – music and performances throughout the weekend in a shady green space.
For a full schedule of events and updates, visit lombardyfair.ca.
Looking for more weekend happenings? Check out Hometown Happenings — a fresh list of local events is posted every Thursday, covering what’s going on across Lanark County, Leeds and North Grenville.
