"A Chair Built by a Community: Celebrating 170 Years of the Spencerville Fair"

When you think of community spirit, you might think of neighbours lending a hand, students stepping up, and local businesses giving back. For the 170th Spencerville Fair, that spirit was brought to life-quite literally and in the form of a giant Adirondack chair.

What began as a simple idea became a meaningful tribute to this year’s milestone fair and a symbol of what makes Spencerville so special.

It all started with a spark of inspiration from our Executive Director, Darlene Dillabough, and Associate Director Wayne Dillabough, who envisioned something big, bold, and community-driven. Their dream? A massive Adirondack chair that would not only turn heads but stand tall (and wide!) as a photo-worthy landmark and tribute to 170 years of the Spencerville Fair.

But this wouldn’t be just any chair; it had to represent the heart of the fair: community, collaboration, and craftsmanship.

To bring this vision to life, Darlene connected with two incredible local partners. First, Prescott Building Center, located in nearby Prescott, Ontario, generously donated all of the wood and materials needed to construct the chair. Their contribution made it possible to build something both beautiful and enduring.

Then came the talented hands behind the hammer: the South Grenville District High School Construction Class of 2025. These future tradespeople took on the challenge with pride, precision, and passion. Under the guidance of their instructor, Richard Chellew, the students built the chair from the ground up, measuring, cutting, assembling, and sanding every inch with care.

This wasn’t just a class project; it became their legacy.

Once the chair was built, Darlene personally took on the task of staining it in the Fair’s official brand colour, ensuring that it reflected our identity and stood out on the fairgrounds. It wasn’t just a splash of colour but a symbol of pride, and a nod to the thoughtful planning and hard work behind every detail.

From concept to completion, this project was driven by community support, student talent, and local generosity.

The chair made its grand debut at the Opening Ceremonies of the 170th Spencerville Fair, where visitors can finally see (and sit on!) this one-of-a-kind installation. This isn’t just a chair to us. It's a photo op, a conversation piece, and most importantly, a tribute to what we can achieve when we come together.

So next time you’re on the fairgrounds, take a seat, snap a photo, and remember: this chair was built by your community, for your community.

Here’s to 170 years of tradition and the people who keep it going strong.