Our fair town will be flooded with visitors from far afield and down the road, the shops and sidewalks teeming with people. Lifted trucks and minivans will line the streets and parking spaces, filled with first-time fair-goers or old hands looking to make their mark in the arena.

One thing that sticks out is the wide range of smells that envelop you when you arrive and stick with you many years later. The, uh, rich smell of livestock mixed with burgers and fries, diesel exhaust and sunscreen, Budweiser and cotton candy, it all melds into one big wax ball of good memories.

There really is something for everyone, from observing the majestic animals in the show ring to the clumsy beasts in the beer tent, from classic performances on the big stage to humble exhibits by local artisans.

However, Labour Day weekend is quite bittersweet for many, as it marks the end of the summer and beginning of the school year. Once the fair winds down, it comes with the sinking feeling that it’s also time to put away the cervezas and Hawaiian shirts and get back to the “normal” routine. It’s time to pack up the cottage and get back to the salt mines, that is, if you got to leave them at all.

It’s equal parts invigorating and saddening, looking back on a summer as it fades into autumn. For every golden memory made or monster fish caught, there’s usually a bad sunburn that you’d like to forget, or a good friend you just couldn’t find the time to see.

While the fair is a way to bring people together and showcase this region’s talent, it’s also a silent, sombre reminder that all good things come to an end, and it’s imperative that you smell the roses while it’s still nice out.

Have a safe and happy weekend everyone.

Caleb Nickerson

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