THE EQUITY caught up with Shawville Mayor Sandra Murray in advance of this year’s edition. Here’s what she had to say:
THE EQUITY: What are your plans for this year’s fair?
Sandra Murray: “I’ll be there every day. I’ll be selling tickets for the Lionettes. I’ll try and see some shows and visit with people too. I’ll also be going to the opening ceremonies to bring greetings from the municipality.”

THE EQUITY: What’s your earliest memory of the fair?
Murray: “I remember as a little girl, we always got a new outfit. One year my mom bought me an outfit and I just remember being so hot. That was back when they had the fair in mid-September. I remember being excited to go on the rides and I remember the cotton candy because it was the only time we got it.”

THE EQUITY: What is the importance of an event like the Shawville Fair to a small community like this?
Murray: “It’s very important. It brings people into town and they spend money with the merchants. The restaurants and other shops do really well. But the most important part is that everyone has fun.”

THE EQUITY: What are you looking forward to most about this year’s fair?
Murray: “Just seeing old friends that I went to school with; people you only see once per year that come up for the fair. Sitting at the Lion’s gate, you might see 30 or 40 people you haven’t seen in a year.”

The Equity: What’s your favourite fair food?
Murray: “Poutine.”