Photo: Visitors browse the many arts, crafts, baking, floral and garden entries displayed at the 36th annual Castor and District Fair on Aug. 14, 2026. Rural Alberta Report/C. Bowman

The 36th annual Castor and District Fair is underway with four days of exhibits, entertainment and family activities scheduled throughout the community.

The fair began Thursday, Aug. 13 with the Castor Farmers Market, fair entry registration, a brats and beer fundraiser for the Castor Rodeo, a husband-calling competition and a cornhole tournament at the Castor Community Hall.

Activities continue Friday with children’s crafts at the Family and Community Support Services building, a petting zoo, carnival games and the opening of the fair exhibits.

A free community barbecue is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at the community hall, followed by a family street dance outside the FCSS building from 7 to 9 p.m.

Castor Memorial Fireworks are expected to begin at dusk, at approximately 10 p.m., near the airport.

Saturday will be the busiest day of the fair, beginning with a free pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the community hall. Those attending are encouraged to bring an item for the local food bank.

Fair exhibits will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and children’s activities, including a bouncy house and face painting, will run from 9 a.m. until noon.

The Castor Cruise-In Car Show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Dark Knight parking lot. A noon barbecue at the car show will support the local Royal Canadian Legion.

The fair parade begins at 1:30 p.m. on Castor’s main street, with participants staging at Theresetta School. Children can join the parade with decorated bicycles and will receive a candy bag and toonie. Helmets are mandatory and advance registration is not required.

Following the parade, the Castor Museum will open and a Touch a Truck event will be held on the grass south of the museum. Both activities are expected to run from approximately 2 to 4 p.m.

The Joe Show will provide family entertainment during the afternoon and again from 7 to 8 p.m. at the community hall.

Fair entries can be picked up at 3:45 p.m. and prizes will be presented at 4 p.m.

Saturday evening will include the Geoff Dean Memorial family barbecue, free swim and music from 5 to 9 p.m. in the park next to the Castor Centennial Pool. The event is sponsored by the Castor Elks.

The fair concludes Sunday with an interdenominational church service at 10:30 a.m. on the lawn north of Extendicare. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic lunch.

A three- or five-kilometre charity run and walk begins at 1:30 p.m. at Theresetta School. Registration is free, with optional donations supporting the Castor Centennial Pool.

The Castor and District Agricultural Society organizes the annual fair. The volunteer organization also operates the Castor Community Hall and rodeo grounds and organizes community events throughout the year.