HAGERSVILLE–When the Hagersville 150 Committee began making plans to mark the town’s milestone, they knew a celebration was needed. One of the marquee events of that celebration will take place on Friday, June 6, 2025 with the return of Ag Day.
“We’re bringing back something that everyone loved,” said Nancy Snyder and Lisa Mattice, Co-Chairs of the Hagersville 150 Committee. Since starting planning, they have gained a greater understanding of what was involved in producing Ag Day and give credit to the hard-working volunteers who ensured the popular event happened each year from 1983 to 1999.
“No one’s done it for 26 years,” Snyder said. “It’s a big job.”
The late Marie Trainer (former Haldimand councillor and mayor) was one of the original organizers who helped lay the groundwork for Ag Day’s success.
Marlene Phibbs joined the planning committee in 1990.
“Ag Day was a lot of work, but it always brought the community together,” Phibbs said. She appreciated the educational component as adults and children alike learned more about food production.
“It was a great way to promote agriculture as families enjoyed the exhibits, food and entertainment.”
This sentiment is shared by Katherine Hedley, who volunteered with the Haldimand Junior Farmers, working in the food booth and square dancing at Ag Day, before joining the organizing committee.
She described Ag Day as “the day the country came to town,” noting, “It was such a great day for the community and Haldimand County as a whole…. It was a great place to visit with your friends and neighbours.”
Hedley added, “The main focus was agriculture, but it brought out many different areas of the community too…. School-aged children got to see animals up close, climb on farm equipment on display, (you could) support community vendors… enjoy local entertainment, or just wander through the market … and surrounding streets and check out the displays.”
Co-sponsored by the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture (HFA) and the Hagersville and District Chamber of Commerce (HCC), the goal of Ag Day was to unite the community and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture. The 2025 edition will continue and expand on that tradition, focusing on education, agriculture, history, and community awareness.
The Market Square will be filled with displays by commodity groups, agriculture and community organizations, plus farmers’ market vendors. The Chamber building is functioning as a museum for the day, highlighting local history and railway heritage.
Alma St. S. will become Barn Yard Lane, with livestock displays lining the east side of the street. The public will get a close look at dairy and beef cattle, llamas, miniature horses, sheep (including shearing demonstrations), pigs, donkeys, and more.
Barn Yard Lane will lead visitors to Ag Day Park (Sgt. Andrew Harnett Memorial Park), where food trucks will be found alongside agriculture and history displays. War memorial and flight school history displays will be set up at the cenotaph. Farming technology past and present will be seen with equipment from the Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association and Haldimand Tractor, respectively.
Farm-themed bouncy castles, face painting, and rock painting – in honour of Hagersville’s mining legacy – are among the many activities planned for children.
Snyder said, “There will be lots of hands-on, interactive displays for families and kids.”
Mattice shared that CN Railway’s ‘Little Obie’ will be stationed at the corner of Church and Sherring streets to give train rides from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. She explained that CN was impressed to see the railway as a focal point of the Hagersville 150 logo and was eager to get involved.
“We were thrilled!” Mattice said. “That train usually goes to larger events.”
There will even be a community mural created during Ag Day. The large scale paint by numbers is a four by eight feet aluminum panel. Visitors can paint a section of the mural, which is intended to become a permanent installation at the new community centre.
The Haldimand County stage will be at the park and the site of the opening ceremonies beginning at noon. Just like previous Ag Days, a town crier will ring in the occasion and local entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere throughout the day and evening.
As Ag Day approaches, community members can participate in the house, business, and farm/rural decorating contests. Residents are encouraged to get involved and show their spirit and enthusiasm for this highly anticipated event.
Looking back on the months of planning, Snyder said, “Lisa and I had no idea when we took this on what would be involved.”
Hagersville Ag Day is a much loved event that will bring together friends and neighbours old and new; favourite memories will be shared and new ones will be created. June 6 promises to be a day that will fit the event’s motto: ‘Celebrating Heritage, Welcoming Tomorrow.’
“It’s going to be a great day!” Snyder said.
Program details are subject to change. To learn the most up-to-date information, visit the Hagersville 150 page on Facebook.
