Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Sept. 3-4, 2017
Fitting with the theme of this drenched, cloudy summer, Sunday’s weather proved to be a return to this season’s norm: rain, rain, and more rain.
But of course, not many were going to let the weather keep them away from all the fun. Rain coats adorned, folks were out and about for all of Sunday’s fun.
Livestock shows kicked off the morning’s events, including a sheep show, light horse, western horse show and horse pull taking place before noon.
Live music kicked off with Ray Harris at the beginning of the afternoon.
Unfortunately, the rain did get in the way of the afternoon’s acts on the main stage. Huddled into the beer tent, some had to be fortunate to be within arm’s reach of a refreshment while staying closer to the acoustic guitars, fiddles and Stompin’ Tom covers.
The band’s volume was no match for the Arnprior McNab Pipes and Drums though, as they were forced to perform inside the tent as well throughout the afternoon.
Over in the agri-awareness area, there was the opportunity to check out a butter-making demonstration, as well as a beekeeping demo, put on by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.
When conditions improved towards the mid-afternoon, outside performers could continue their work. Kyle Bertrand offered a different kind of rain in the form of wood chips to those who stopped by his booth, where he carved bear and owl statues from logs with his chainsaws.
Sunday was capped off with a blend of old and new country sounds. Phil Denault kicked things off with his classic country covers before giving up the stage to the swoon-inducing Dean Brody.
Monday brought some autumn temperatures early to fairgoers, but their spirits remained high nonetheless.
A classic car and bike show ran all day, but organizers were sure to keep those beauties away from the outdoor ring come noon, as the demolition derby took over. The audience were treated to over three hours of small engine smackdowns, complete with mud and smoke spraying the onlookers.
As it rolled around to four in the afternoon, the upbeat-stylings of the Bowes Brothers took the beer tent stage over with their sing-along country songs and hooking harmonies. Belting out the favourites from Johnny Cash to Leroy Van Dyke, they proved capable of topping themselves with each song peeled off their setlist.
The inclusions of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Tillsonburg” may have had the whole crowd singing and dancing along, but none proved more into it than the band’s bass player, stomping so hard he might knock his own amp over.
Finally, as evening took over, the main stage was reopened for musical acts, and Phil Denault made sure to welcome everyone over. The Fort Coulonge native was happy to be back for another year at the fair and made sure to offset the night’s musical balance, playing the old-school country songs that’ve prevailed through the years. Featuring a wicked amount of pure jamming between the band members, it must’ve been hard for anyone to stop their toes from tapping nonstop during the performance.
As Denault wrapped up, the audience began to swell as if by magic, tripling in the span of a half hour in anticipation of the day’s big act. Pouring in quicker than some were tossing back beers, the crowd were antsy for one man to take the stage and he did not disappoint.
When Dean Brody climbed up onstage, cheers cried out and everyone let their country roots take over as they sang along to the small-town Albertan’s anthems. As the hooting and hollering began in every direction, Brody brought the party and kicked it up a notch for everyone involved.
