It’s not just an event at the fair—Young Canada Day is a tradition.
Tomorrow (October 7), the gates will open for the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, and as it has for decades, the festivities will begin with Young Canada Day.
That was Angela Hogeveen, General Manager of the Norfolk County Agricultural Society.
On paper, the day sounds simple: local high schools gather for a series of spirited competitions—from cheerleading and tug-of-war to foot races and themed displays.
Each school is assigned a designated area in the grandstands to cheer on their athletes, decked out in school colours and rallying around a chosen theme. The energy is electric, and the pride is palpable.
Hogeveen says you can try to explain it to someone, but it just doesn’t do it justice.
It’s an event so unique and deeply rooted in local tradition that it earned a board-wide PA day, allowing students to attend without missing class.
High school is full of moments that stay with you for a lifetime—and if you grew up in Norfolk, chances are you have a Young Canada Day memory etched in your heart.
Hogeveen says the event continues to receive the same enthusiastic response year after year, even as the world around us changes.
She sees Young Canada Day 2025 as a chance for kids to experience the kind of old-school fun their parents and grandparents once enjoyed—pure, spirited, and community-driven.
Each year, multiple awards are handed out—not just for athletic competitions, but also for categories like best grandstand decorations and school spirit.
Last year, the Simcoe Sabres claimed the title of Grand Champion, marking back-to-back wins.
Before that, the Delhi Raiders had a strong run, dominating the event with several Grand Champion titles to their name.
We’ll once again be live streaming the event on social media, so parents and former Young Canada Day participants can join in the celebration—wherever they are.