Olivia Avery of the Lindsay Agricultural Society has been crowned the winner of the 2026 Ambassador of the Fairs program at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto, Canada’s largest agricultural fair.
Originally established in 1971 as the “Miss CNE, Sweetheart of the Fair” pageant, the Ambassador of the Fairs program is now open to both young women and men from agricultural societies across Ontario and aims to educate and celebrate Canada’s rich history in agriculture.
More than 3,000 young people from over 100 communities have participated in the competition in the past five decades.
Representing the Lindsay Agricultural Society, Avery competed with 60 contestants and was one of seven semi-finalists who participated in the final round on Sunday (August 23).
All participants arrived at the CNE on Friday morning to prepare for the competition, participating in various seminars and rehearsals before the semi-finals on Sunday morning. In the afternoon,, three selected finalists were judged on a wide range of criteria including knowledge of the CNE and Canadian agriculture, poise, self-confidence, public speaking, and overall impression.
Avery was declared the winner, with the first runner-up Jared Hunter from Kingston Agricultural Society — one of only four young men to participate in this year’s competition — and the second runner-up Kymberly Farmer from Six Nations Agricultural Society. Hunter also received the Congeniality Award, voted by fellow contestants.
The other four semi-finalists were Sara Coates of Parkhill Agricultural Society, Jillian Ohm of Listowel Agricultural Society, Samantha Norwood of Brooklin Agricultural Society, and Wesley O’Leary of Coldwater & District Agricultural Society.
As the 2026 winner, Avery will receive a cash prize of $3,500 and participate in a series of official duties at this year’s CNE, while also representing her local agricultural community.
The exclusive year-long role of Ambassador of the Fairs will also take Avery across Ontario as a representative of the CNE and all agricultural fairs in the province.
This is the second time in the past four years a representative of the Lindsay Agricultural Society has received the honour, with Leah Lai crowned the CNE Ambassador of the Fairs in 2023.
Founded in 1879, the CNE runs annually for 18 days in late August and early September, generating an estimated economic impact of $164 million. In 2025, the CNE attracted 1.42 million visitors.
The CNE opened last Friday and continues through September 7.
