Written By Jan Sims
ILDERTON - A new Ambassador is set to welcome visitors to the upcoming Ilderton Fair. The 2026 Ambassador is life-long Ilderton resident Maggie Nixon. “I feel very lucky and excited to be selected as the Ilderton Fair Ambassador. I love the fair and my community, so I am excited to have the opportunity to represent it,” says Maggie.
The ambassador is chosen by a panel of judges based on an interview, public speaking skills, leadership and community involvement. “Maggie has been involved in her community through baseball, hockey, 4-H and farming. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, spending time with friends, playing sports and travelling. Her passion for agriculture, strong local roots and desire to continue learning and building a future in the industry make her a wonderful representative of the Ilderton Fair and our community,” says Alicia Robson, Chair of the Ambassador Program Committee.
Maggie graduated from the University of Guelph in 2025 with a BSc in agriculture. “She now works in agronomy, where she conducts field scouting and continues to develop her knowledge of crop production and the agricultural industry,” says Robson.
As Ambassador, Maggie will have a prominent role in the 2026 Ilderton Fair. “I am looking forward to attending lots of events at the fair and seeing and meeting lots of people,” says Maggie.” I wanted to emphasize how much the Ilderton Fair means to me. I have so many great memories at the fair. I also wanted to highlight my connections with agriculture having being raised on a farm and getting a degree in agriculture science. I also wanted to show my appreciation for the previous generations of people over the last 175 years who made the fair what it is today and kept its agriculture heritage alive,” adds Maggie.
The days and months ahead will be a busy time for Maggie. “The Ambassadors participate in activities throughout the fair, attend community events and help welcome visitors, dignitaries and special guests. They also represent our town at various community events and beyond, such as the Santa Claus Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, OAAS Convention in Richmond Hill, and at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto each year. They become familiar faces of the Ilderton Agricultural Society and help us celebrate our community, agricultural heritage and local pride.,” says Robson.
This is a special year, as the Ilderton Fair marks its 175th anniversary. The Fair takes place October 2nd to 4th.
