Donald Teuma-Castelletti
LUSKVILLE Oct. 6-8, 2018
Locals and guests to Luskville had the unique opportunity to hit some hiking trails before shopping till they dropped this weekend, as the Pontiac Country Fair returned for its fifth iteration.
Running Saturday through Monday, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. each day, vendors, artists, horse trainers, plus at least one long-dead politician and lumber baron, could be found at the Luskville Falls, with plenty more for the whole family to enjoy.
“It’s a way to celebrate the fall colours, in partnership with the Municipality of Pontiac and the National Capital Commission (NCC),” said Emilie Chazelas, event organizer for the municipality.
Chazelas said the idea around the fair is that families enjoy the natural beauty of the falls, before enjoying a variety of activities from arts and crafts to animal demonstrations, while shopping from local producers.
With vendors from Bristol, Pontiac, Wakefield and Aylmer, there were plenty of local options for everything from art pieces to honey, vegetables, jewelry, and last minute Thanksgiving baked goods.
Beyond the vendors, representatives from the NCC educated about local wildlife, Tourisme Outaouais detailed different local excursions, and the Union des producteurs agricoles had two Pontiac farmers onsite, bringing with them three cows for folks to get a chance at a closer look at the animal.
Each day, different forms of entertainment took over portions of the fair as well. Saturday saw a musical obstacle course for horse trainers, while Sunday was privy to a giant bubble show. Monday was rounded out with a birds of prey show, when large-winged hunters took to the skies to amaze.
The musical obstacle challenge began with a chance for participants to try out the course in the morning, as trainers slowly coaxed their horse through different trials. From walking straight up small steps to hopping short barriers and stepping onto a mattress, the course was designed to see how well a horse trusts their instructor, explained the association équestre du Pontiac’s Carole Savard.
“The goal is for the horse and rider to trust each other more and more,” said Savard.
She explained that one obstacle, such as a pedestal, was foreign to the animals and required a strong bond with the rider to be led onto it. During the practice, horses were led by leash through the obstacles, as it is safer for both rider and horse.
In the afternoon, the real competition began as the horses were timed through the challenges. Aimed mostly at having fun and getting some exposure for the younger riders, upwards of 15 horses competed travelling from around the Pontiac and Ottawa Valley.
Also resurrected for the festivities was John Egan, the first elected representative to the Legislative Assembly for the Pontiac riding in 1854. Embodying the man in the time ahead of this election, Egan educated guests on his contributions to the Pontiac and Ottawa Valley, such as building mills, railways and dams in the area, acting as landlord to many immigrants, building an Anglican church in Aylmer, and his plans to build a canal to the Pontiac Village.
Each year, the fair is expected to bring a few thousand to the falls, said Chazelas, with the weather playing a huge part into the weekend’s success.
“Last year, it was really rainy, so we only had 2,000 people,” said Chazelas. “But a good year, it’s 6,000 people, so we expect at least 4,000.”
Since 2013, the fair has been a joint venture between the municipality and the NCC, as the groups promote the park’s trails and local businesses. While the municipality organizes for the activities and vendors, the NCC provides the unique backdrop.
“First of all, the venue,” said Chazelas, of holding the fair in partnership with the NCC. “The area is wonderful, it’s beautiful here. It’s a really nice opportunity to promote the hiking trail.”
10.10 Fair
