Annual Events

Ailsa Craig Gala Days

The Gala Days is an annual three-day, family-oriented festival, held on the third weekend in July. Friday Night Family Dance, Main Street Parade, Show n’ Shine, Outside Video Dance, 5km & 10km Run, Face Painters & Children's Entertainers, 4 on 4 Road Hockey, Midway. A highlight to the festival is the KubCar Races, where competitors have the opportunity to construct their own KubCar, following strict specifications, and then race them on a dedicated KubCar track.

Ailsa-Craig Quilt Festival

The Ailsa-Craig Quilt Festival is unlike any other in the world. This weekend-long event showcases the best local and international art quilts for both Quilters and art lovers alike. These quilts have been specifically curated and displayed by some of Southwestern Ontario's most distinguished fibre art judges. A "Quilt Cafe" and various other special events are interspersed throughout the week. This year's theme is "Quilts of Iceland" and features an exhibition of over 100 Icelandic quilts, live interactive workshops, and a Viking village reenactment!

Art In The Barn

Southwestern Ontario's Largest Summer Arts & Crafts Festival with over 250 exhibitors featuring everything from fine arts, pottery, jewellery, furniture, clothing, wood decor, birdhouses, home decor and so much more. Savour the flavours of our many food trucks, enjoy an ice cream or iced lemonade while browsing our vendors both inside & out. Plenty of onsite parking, $5 - per car. Always the 2nd weekend in July.

Battle of Longwoods

This annual event is held on the first weekend in May and features military re-enactors, camp followers and merchants from Ontario and nearby States to meet to bring the war of 1812 to life and recreate the battle of Longwoods. Taking you back to March 4, 1814, when British troops attempt to expel American invaders. You will be able to hear the crack of the musket and the roar of the cannon, see the colourful uniforms, and smell the food prepared over open fires.

Dorchester Fair

The Fair showcases the best of the area's harvest where visitors can sample local produce and delicious homemade treats. Delight in all the Fair has to offer – from local entertainment, amusement rides, contests and games, a petting zoo and even our famous parade! Takes place on Thanksgiving weekend.

Glencoe Fall Fair

The Glencoe Fall Fair is a fun-filled three-day event held in late September. There you can enjoy the dozens of livestock exhibitors, the Glencoe Fair Parade, the demolition derby, live entertainment, and more!

Heeman's Food Trucks on the Farm

Heeman's is super excited to host Food Trucks on the Farm running every weekend in the fall (Friday to Sunday) from 11am to 3pm. We’ll be hosting a variety of unique food offerings with many local favourite food trucks and trucks from the London & KW area. See our Food Trucks and Weekend Schedule below. It all goes down in the parking lot near the greenhouse at Heeman’s. There’s no cost to attend. Just bring your appetite and prepare your stomach; it promises to be delicious! As seating can be limited, bringing your own lawn chairs or blanket would be a great idea! Remember that some trucks only take cash, so plan ahead.

Ilderton Fall Fair

The Ilderton Fall Fair is one of the largest county fairs in Southern Ontario and has something for everyone to enjoy.

Oxford Renaissance Festival

The Oxford Renaissance Festival has been in operation since 2013. We began our adventure at the Woodstock Fairgrounds, and moved to the Dorchester Fairgrounds in 2016. Ontario has been host to a series of similarly themed festivals for many years, and we are proud to carry on the tradition of celebrating history, live music & entertainment, and artistic endeavours. The Oxford Renaissance Festival is pleased to partner with many fine organizations in order to provide opportunities and culture to the surrounding regions. Our “Big Event” is the Festival Days  a weekend of fun held June – 2 full days of entertainment, open to the public. Most people plan to stay for several hours, enjoying a meal in our pub, and filling their day with all live opportunities to play along or watch the action. Live music, demonstrations, stage acts, and jousting will give you plenty of renaissances to experience! There are games to play, a storyline to follow, and you could even meet the Queen! On Saturday night the pub stays open after the gates close – and you can party with us with live music all night and our special selection of Renaissance styled beverages, including cider, beer, Mead, and more!