Get ready for a jam-packed episode! Elora Fergus Podcast hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce dive into a couple of major events coming to our community this week and next!

First, Barbara shares all the details about the inaugural Zehrs All Clubs Day—a unique new event uniting local service groups to combat food insecurity and bring our community closer together.

Then, Ryan takes us into the world of illusion as he talks about the fifth annual Ontario Magic Festival, celebrating our area's magical history with two incredible shows for both kids and adults

But that’s not all!

We also highlight the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and explore the incredible talent on display during the annual Elora Fergus Studio Tour.

Tune in to get the inside scoop on these can't-miss fall events and discover why this autumn is going to be especially magical.

Upcoming Events in Elora & Fergus

• Zehrs All Clubs Day

  • When: Saturday, September 27th

  • Where: Behind the Fergus Sportsplex

  • What: A free family event with food, games, face painting, and more, uniting community service clubs to help address food insecurity.

• Ontario Magic Festival

  • When: Saturday, October 4th

  • Where: Fergus Grand Theatre

  • What: Two shows featuring world-class magic: a family matinee at 2 p.m. and a hypnotic comedy show at 7:30 p.m.

  • Visit: https://magicfestival.ca

PLUS:

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

  • When: Tuesday, September 30th

  • Where: Fergus Grand Theatre

  • What: An important evening of remembrance and learning, encouraging the community to wear orange in solidarity.

• Elora Fergus Studio Tour

  • When: September 27th & 28th and October 4th & 5th (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

  • Where: Various artist studios across Elora, Fergus, and the surrounding area

  • What: Meet local artists and explore their creative spaces.

  • Visit: https://elorafergusstudiotour.com 

 

What if you could walk straight into a fairytale? That’s exactly what Enchanta delivers right here in Centre Wellington—and this episode takes you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind experience.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• 🌲 How Enchanta transforms the forest behind the Sportsplex into a glowing, multi-sensory fantasy realm.

• 🧚 The inspiring origin story—born out of lockdown as a way to bring imagination and wonder to life.

• 🎭 What’s new for 2024: two immersive paths, a kids’ zone with face painting and puppetry, and the “Scrolls of the In-Between” literary exhibit.

• 🎶 The epic weekend lineup of concerts, art installations, and performances from over 30 vendors and local artists.

• 💡 How the community can support Enchanta—through tickets, volunteering, and the new Zero Barriers program, ensuring everyone can join in the magic.

✨ Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, this festival is pure wonder you won’t want to miss.

👉 Subscribe to the Elora Fergus Podcast and share your thoughts with us at eloraferguspodcast.com

Step right up—it’s almost fair time! 🍂🎡 The Fergus Fall Fair is back, celebrating 188 years of agriculture, community, and family fun.

In this special episode, Ryan and Barb sit down with Russell Gammon, one of the region’s most passionate voices in agriculture, to uncover why this fair is more than just rides and cotton candy—it’s a living tradition.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• 🎃 The fascinating history of the Fergus Fall Fair dating back to 1837.

• 🐑 What makes this fair unique, from sheep-shearing demos to wildlife rescue showcases.

• 🌱 How 4-H builds leadership, confidence, and skills—and why it’s not just for farm kids.

• 🐄 The story of a celebrity cow named Vanilla (yes, really!).

• 🙌 The vital role of community volunteers who keep this 188-year-old tradition thriving.

Whether you’re a longtime fairgoer or planning your first visit, this episode will get you excited for one of Centre Wellington’s most beloved events.

👉 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe today and share your feedback with us at eloraferguspodcast.com.

 

Fall is almost here, and there's a ton happening in Elora, Fergus and the surrounding areas!

Tune in as we give you a rundown of all the can't-miss events coming to Elora and Fergus in September 2025.  From antique cars to steampunk costumes, and goats to family fun, we've got your social calendar covered.

We'll also tell you about a few free events you can attend and give a special shout-out to the people and organizations who make these things happen. 

In this episode:

• Dates and details for the Antique Classic Car Show and the Cogs and Clockworks event. 
• A preview of the Fergus Fall Fair, including its focus on agriculture and family involvement. 
• Information on the "furry" and fairy-themed event, Enchant. 
• A special mention of the free family picnic day sponsored by local service clubs.

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com

Were you there for the 80th anniversary of the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games?

Join us as we recap our experience at one of the biggest events of the year. We'll take you back to the Friday night Tattoo ceremony, where we celebrated the four pillars: pipes and drums, heavy events, dance, and heritage. 

We’ll also share highlights from our interviews with Outlander star Charles Vandervaart and former soccer player Steven Caldwell, and reveal what it was like to be at the incredible Bay City Rollers concert. 

Takeaways:

• A personal take on the 80th Fergus Scottish Festival, including a recap of the Friday night Tattoo ceremony and its historical traditions.
• Highlights from key interviews with Outlander star Charles Vandervaart and TSN sportscaster Steven Caldwell.
• An inside look at the excitement of the Bay City Rollers concert, which packed the Sportsplex with over 10,000 people.
• Recognition for Elizabeth Bender, the executive director, and the 400 volunteers who made the event possible. 

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com.

Why is a podcast a must-listen for anyone who loves Elora, Fergus and the surrounding communities? 

In our very first episode, we're pulling back the curtain to give you the inside scoop on our new show. Hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce explain how they’ll provide on-demand community information, behind-the-scenes insights, and local secrets. 

You’ll also get to know a little more about your hosts and how they are a reflection of the community. 

In our first episode:

• Discover the purpose of the Elora Fergus Podcast and its focus on on-demand community information for Fergus, Belwood, and the surrounding areas.

• Learn how the show is a perfect opportunity to get behind-the-scenes insights and sneak peeks into local events and hidden gems.

• Meet your hosts Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy and Ryan Joyce, and their deep-rooted connections to the community. 

• Find out why the podcast is designed to be short, informative, and evolve with listener input.

Subscribe to our podcast and tell a friend.

Connect with us and listen to more episodes at eloraferguspodcast.com.

This episode we’re talking with the Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador, Dillon Bernier about this years’ Fair postponement, the local impacts, and how we can stay connected with the Fall Fair and Fergus Agricultural Society.  Listen Here.

https://bit.ly/33Ee5Kv 

What does back to school look like in Centre Wellington during COVID?  What are the new procedures and steps our school boards and schools are taking? With huge thanks to Barbara Evoy and Cogeco, we share this interview with Upper Grand District School Board Superintendents Gary Slater and Carlo Zen. 

Show Links: https://bit.ly/2RfapsN

Today is a big episode! Three guests from the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games join us and give their unique perspectives and feedback from this year’s Wee Digital Ceilidh!   Show Links: https://bit.ly/2DNNr8O   We start the conversation with Elizabeth Bender, the Fergus Scottish Festival Coordinator who shares the online response, feedback from the community and the local events. We discuss Elizabeth’s personal favourite moments, a few special emails, and what it all means for the future of the Fergus Scottish Festival.

Today I’m chatting with the Fergus Scottish Festival Coordinator, Elizabeth Bender about the upcoming digital Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games.  (Show links: https://bit.ly/2Xx0YIB  ) 

This year would have marked 75 years of tradition in Centre Wellington, but Elizabeth calls this year “74.5” 

:)

On this episode, we chat about the recent tough decisions, what it means for the future of the Festival, plus we get insight for what to expect at this year’s digital celebration, the Wee Digital Ceilidh (pronounced “Kay-lee”)

If you ask Google “What’s a Scottish Ceilidh?” you discover it’s a traditional social gathering.

I asked twice and was told, “...simply means a social visit.” 

The Festival Scottish Festival and Highland Games present this year’s Wee Digital Ceilidh to their faithful patrons, guests, and over four hundred volunteers who contribute their hard work and time year-after-year.  

The result of their efforts has given our community an amazing gift that brings over 24,000 people to Centre Wellington in a single weekend. This year they hope to do the same-- albeit virtually.  

Trusted traditions modernized.