Nearly six months after one of the most popular Shawville Fairs in the event’s 170-year history, the Pontiac Agricultural Society held its annual general meeting to update members on its successes and plans for the year ahead.
Fair revenue this year was at $1,508,273, making it one of the most popular Shawville Fairs in recent memory, up from $1,340,657 the year prior. “We’re comparing it to the Stompin’ Tom year,” said treasurer Heather Dale.
President Ralph Lang said the fair saw its highest attendance in the event’s history, with around 55,000 people coming through the gates. He said high-quality entertainment as well as the low price of admission played a large part in the success.
“I think [it’s] the low cost at our gate. We’re getting a lot of Gatineau people coming up, and it’s just pay one price [ . . . ] and we’ve held our costs for so long and we don’t plan on raising it,” he said.
Lang said the year was full of improvements, including the off-site camping the fair began offering a few years ago. He said the camping was a success, nearly doubling in revenue from the year prior with more room to grow in future years.
“I think we could probably double or triple again, we have lots of space up there in that field, so it works good and nobody has to drive home and they can have fun and come back for five days.”
He said the increased foot traffic led to more sales in the concessions area and beer tent. Beer garden sales were up to $314,897 from $259,219 and concessions were up to $54,134 from $45,626.
He said as more people come through the gates there are also accommodations that have to be made in terms of space.
“We hope to improve washroom space and stuff like that. It’s growing pains, but we try to keep the customers happy when they get here, and try to get the midway moving faster,” he said.
The statement of operations showed a profit of $558,944, but treasurer Heather Dale said that amount did not take into account the $562,766 that is being put toward a new kitchen building.
“While our operations were strong, we were -$3,822 overall for the year,” she said.
The new kitchen, which is attached to the back of the handicraft building, has been under construction since last summer and will be available for public use. Lang said it will help people who rent the agricultural hall.
“Somebody can rent the halls and have a caterer work out of our kitchen, and it’ll feed right into the two halls. You won’t have to go outside or work out of a truck.”
Lang said the fair will also use a cooler unit in the kitchen area to store beer and other things, adding that he is hoping the kitchen will be available for use for the 2026 edition of the fair.
PAS members also participated in an election to name board members for the 2026-27 year, in which 37 candidates were nominated to fill only 35 positions. After members cast their votes, all positions were filled, with two members unfortunately not getting seats on the board.
Then, elections were held for the executive members. Ralph Lang was re-elected president, and Josey Bouchard was re-elected first vice-president. The four other VP positions went to Kendal Lang, Scott Lemay, Tyler McCann and Holly Campbell. Hayley Campbell will serve as the secretary, while Heather Dale will be the treasurer.
Lang said he was excited to get to work on this year’s fair and serve another year alongside a team of dedicated volunteers.
“We’re always look[ing] at more customers through the gate, and sunny weather, and bigger entertainment. And we’re working on some new displays and stuff. I’m working with a good crew, and should be status quo, and don’t know what the year has in store, but something will come up,” he said.
