There’s something to celebrate every season in Perth County. Festivals, fairs, concerts, parades, and auctions sprinkled throughout the social calendar ensure there is never a dull moment. Celebrate the beginning of spring as the swans parade down to the Avon River. Embrace your national pride at Canada Day events throughout the county. Picnic with a favourite stuffed friend, listen to many stories and songs, and savour the bounty of the harvest at one of the many agricultural fairs or food festivals in the fall. As the days get shorter, take in one of the many Santa Claus parades and lights displays.

Fall

The time of bounty arrives for this largely agricultural area, and is celebrated with fall fairs and food festivals across the county. The 157^th Mitchell Fall Fair takes place over the Labour Day weekend at the fairgrounds, with exhibits, crafts, horse shows, antique displays, a parade and midway rides. Stratford’s Fall Fair celebrates its 170^th edition this year, with traditional exhibits, a demolition derby and midway rides. Kirkton’s  Kirkton's Fairs across the county. rd-winning Canadian authors, cutting-edge contemporary dance, world class cabaret, and uproFall Fair takes place from September 9^th-11^th, while Milverton’s Fall Fair runs from September 16^th-17^th. Watch the Annual Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, September 17^th at the Avon River. Foodies will delight in the Garlic Festival on September 10^th, and the award-winning Savour Stratford/Perth County Culinary Festival on September 24^th and 25^th. On September 24 to October 2, Theatre 311 in Listowel presents A Bunch of Munsch!, a collection of delightful Robert Munsch stories read and performed by the acting company. Stratford’s City Centre hosts the Classic Car show in Market Square on October 16^th, with a variety of makes and models of cars. Culture Days celebrates our vibrant communities with a staggering number of free events all over Perth County on September 30, October 1 and 2.

Winter

The holiday season begins in November, with Santa Claus parades throughout the county and festive light displays twinkling from November to January at Milt Dunnell Field in St. Marys. Seasonal musical celebrations round out the holiday calendar leading up to New Year’s celebrations.

Spring

The Listowel Kinsmen and Kinettes keep the Paddyfest tradition alive in March of each year as a way to welcome spring and honour the area’s connection to Ireland. Now in its 34^th year, PaddyFest has become one of North America’s largest Irish Festivals. Herald in the promise of spring at maple syrup events in Staffa and Perth South. Raw and refined. Edgy and elegant; Springworks Indie Theatre and Arts Festival, Stratford’s newest cultural festival, takes place May 10-15^th, and features fresh and innovative performances by emerging and established artists alike.

Summer

Professional storytellers from across North America will visit St. Marys as the ‘Once Upon a Thames’ Storytelling Festival celebrates its 8^th anniversary on the first weekend of June. The St. Marys Horticultural Society annual Plant Sale will share the Flats with the Storytelling Festival the morning of June 4^th. Celebrate the heritage of St. Marys during the Stonetown Heritage Festival July 8-10 with live music, children’s activities, walking tours, a Saturday night street dance, fireworks and more. Watch as Fergie Jenkins and the other 2011 Inductees play in a celebrity ballgame at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to kick off Induction weekend beginning June 16^th.

In Listowel, bring the family and a few favourite stuffed friends to the North Perth Family Teddy Bear Play day on June 25^th. The Listowel Agricultural Fair takes place at the Fairgrounds on July 14th-17th.

Mitchell’s Fiddler’s Jamboree on June 11^th will keep your toes tapping. Check out the Classic Car Show on June 25^th and the BIA’s Sidewalk Sale. Mitchell’s Cornfest takes place on the 3^rd weekend in August, with a Slo-pitch tournament, pancake breakfast, soap box derby, dinner and dance.

The 64^th Annual Field Day and Fish Fry, an all-day family event in Shakespeare takes place on June 11^th. Pick out some hand crafted wares during the Annual Amish School Auction in Perth East on July 16^th. The 21^st Annual Milverton Ram Rodeo is set for June 17-19 at the Milverton Fairgrounds, with a Rodeo parade featuring antique tractors, pickup trucks, rugged cowboys and line dancing cowgirls. Other events include two rodeo performances, a Saturday night Rodeo dance party, sidewalk sales and a Father’s Day breakfast. Join the community at the huge Canada Day festivities at Market Square in Stratford’s historic downtown on July 1^st.