Families, friends, and neighbours came together this past weekend for the 2025 Gladstone Fair, a three-day celebration that blended summer fun with heartfelt community spirit and record-breaking fundraising.
Held from August 8 to 10, the fair once again delivered a full slate of events ranging from foam-filled kids’ activities and sizzling smoker auctions to classic live music and a relaxed Sunday picnic atmosphere. Organizers say this year’s turnout was one of the best in recent memory.
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Bubbles, laughter, and community joy
One of the most talked-about events was Friday afternoon’s foam party, which turned Williams Park into a sea of bubbles. Melanie White, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, helped organize the attraction and says it’s fast becoming a staple of the fair.
“This is actually our 4th year of having it. Kids love it. It's even better when it's a really hot day. Then we sometimes see 40 or 50 kids in there and walls of bubbles,” White says.
The foam party, also featured at other nearby fairs, is one way organizers give back to the community.
“We just thought it would be a good way to give back to the community and do something that would be fun for the kids. There are a lot of activities for all ages throughout the fair, but we just thought we would add something extra for the kids,” White adds.
Smoker auction feeds stomachs and local causes
Later that evening, the scent of smoked meat filled Williams Park as crowds gathered for the third annual smoker auction. Local firefighter John Halashewski, one of the event’s co-creators, says the auction isn’t just about food, it’s about impact.
“This is our third year. So the first year we did it, we made $3500, which we gave to the arena,” Halashewski says.
“It's going to the WMCI to rebuild some playground and their courtyard.”
Teams competed anonymously, cooking the same meats and adding their own unique side dishes. Once judged, the winning meals were auctioned off to the highest bidder.
“We plate 4 plates, put it in a bag, and then we live auction them off,” Halashewski notes.
Despite competing events in the area, attendance at the auction held strong.
“It generates a lot of money, and it's all going towards that zone and the kids, it's all for the kids.” Halashewski adds.
A peaceful Sunday wraps it all up.
Sunday afternoon brought a different pace to the fairgrounds. Near the ball diamonds, families gathered under tents to enjoy an afternoon of live music, food trucks, and laid-back fun. Event co-organizer Karen Price says the goal was to create a calm, family-centered atmosphere to close out the weekend.
“So it is a place where families can come. Hear some music. They can either bring their own picnic food if they want, or they can buy from the food trucks that are here,” Price says.
Price and her husband, Owen, also performed a short musical set during the afternoon, showcasing their songwriting alongside several other musical acts throughout the day.
“We’ve both been involved with it for probably 35 years with bands and groups,” Price notes.
The day included performances by local gospel singers, classical musicians, and a crowd-pleasing Filipino band that closed out the day with familiar covers. But for Price, it was the sense of togetherness that mattered most.
“It’s affordable, you know, because for some families, it's a little tough these days... there's a tent to sit under, visit your neighbours, get to know the town, get to know each other, and kids play together,” Price says.
“I think people need to slow down a little bit sometimes and smell the roses,” Price adds.
Big turnout, big success
With strong attendance, successful fundraising, and dozens of volunteers behind the scenes, organizers are calling this year’s Gladstone Fair a huge success. The event wrapped up Sunday evening with smiling families, full plates, and a shared feeling of community well-being. A reminder that sometimes, the simplest events make the biggest impact.
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