Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE Aug. 30, 2017
Last week The Equity had a chat with Shawville Fair board member Mavis Hanna to discuss several changes and new additions for the fair’s 161st iteration and announce the winners of the gate decorating contest.
“Last year we started a gate competition that gave people the opportunity to decorate their gate as a part of our 160th celebration,” she said. “This year we repeated it because of Canada’s 150th and we received some really good entries.”

This year there was a tie for first place between the entries from Scott and Jessica Stephens and Larry and Stacy Howard.
“They are amazing,” Hanna said.
In another move to celebrate Canada 150, the fair board will be recognizing directors that have been around for over 25 years.
“We determined that if someone had spent a quarter of a century, or 25 years as a director, which is a volunteer position on our board, they should be recognized,” she said. “That’s a tremendous contribution not only to the Agriculture Society but to the community.”
Four directors that fit the criteria: Elwyn Lang, the late Jack Lang, Eason Russell and Mavis Hanna will be recognized with a commemorative pin for their efforts at the opening ceremonies on Thursday.
“I just squeaked in under the 25 years,” Hanna said. “It’s amazing how quickly time flies and really it’s been a great opportunity because you work with a lot of great people. As much as it is work, it’s a wonderful opportunity too.”
As the director in charge of the heavy horse division, Hanna also noted several changes they had made since last year.
“We’ve added two classes of commercial horses, so for the people watching in the stands, it will be a continuous show, no downtime,” she said. “We’re lucky enough to have an organist for that show, Laird Graham. He’s going to come and play the organ for us.”
She also added that they will be starting Saturday afternoon off with the six horse hitch at 1 p.m., instead of having it as the finale to the show.
“It’s for a number of reasons. For the exhibitors, they’re able to pack as they go. Through the afternoon, after they show their six, they have two extra sets of harnesses that they don’t need again,” she explained, adding that by not having it at a set time in past years, people missed out.
There will also be several new awards, such as the trophy for six horse hitch on Friday which was presented by past presidents of the fair. Hanna also donated a trophy for the heavy horse junior showman.
“It’s just a way to encourage people to show in our fair,” Hanna said. “People deserve recognition and the best way to do that at a fair is a trophy.”