The fair opened up on Friday morning with a visit from several hundred children from neighbouring schools and daycares. The youngsters got the chance to take in a host of different agricultural demonstrations, from livestock to produce and everything in between.
Director Charleen Moore said that they had 550 children for the morning and it took more than 50 volunteers to keep them all corralled. She explained that the purpose of the day was to teach children about all aspects of agriculture.
“It’s to educate the kids to know where their food comes from,” she said.
In the arena, the local 4-H Club had their steer judging and achievement day, parading their animals through the ring in their pristine white outfits. (See results on page eight)
In a neighbouring barn, Rebecca Hamilton was giving Reese Rusenstrom a hand preparing the Simmental she would be showing, Gorgeous (Rosbern Farm). Hamilton explained that they had to ensure that the bovine’s hair was washed and combed, to look their best for the judges. She added that the temperament of the animal is also important, especially for the 4-Hers.
“For a kid, you definitely look for a calmer animal, make sure she listens well” she said.
Just after noon, the lawn tractor pull got underway at the outdoor ring. A new event this year, it featured a dozen souped-up lawnmowers competing to drag a modified sled down the track.
Thirteen-year-old Braden Smaglinski of Cobden had a great start to the competition, with a mighty pull of 240 ft.
As the sun began to dip in the sky , the arena was filled with the pounding of hooves for the heavy horse show. Two-, four- and six-horse hitch classes kicked up dirt as they trotted around the ring, with their harnesses making the distinctive jingling that fans love to hear.
New this year, there was a Golden Fork competition in the four-horse, judged by Gail Tracey of Double-G Farms and Mayors Sandra Murray and John Armstrong. Congeniality went to Pana-Len Percherons while best display went to Steadholm Farms.
Director Erin Dittburner said that she had made an effort to introduce the public to the world of heavy horses, with an open barn and interactive demonstrations.
“I wanted to be sure the public could access the barn and see the animals close up,” she said.
That evening, the entertainment at the main stage got underway with local headbangers Beyond Driven firing up the crowd with their covers of popular rock hits. At nine, headliner Sass Jordan appeared and closed out the night with her electrifying vocals.
