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Fair marks 160th anniversary with shortened program

August 27, 2014   ·   0 Comments

The theme is “Celebrating our 160th Fair,” but the big change in the 2014 edition of Orangeville’s fair is the elimination of Labour Day from its calendar.

Explaining the change, the Orangeville Agricultural Society says that for whatever reason, attendance on Mondays had been falling off to the point where it wasn’t worth scheduling events that day.

As of Wednesday, the weather forecast for the remaining three days was less than ideal, with a slight risk of a shower and temperatures on the cool side tomorrow (Friday) and warmer but with a greater risk of rain Saturday and Sunday.

Historically, the annual fall fair was the “a highlight in the activities of the year in rural communities”. The exhibition of wares was combined with entertainment, either in side-shows or small midways and the local community band. Friendships were renewed, ideas exchanged and prizes awarded for the best fruit, baked goods or handwork, horses and livestock.

The present-day country fair is not a lot different. Livestock is judged and sometimes points given and accumulated for further prestige at larger shows or, just a ribbon to a first time exhibitor that handled the calf well in showmanship is enough of an achievement. Home Crafts displays are making a comeback to fill the exhibition halls with colours, scents and oohs and ahhs. And, there are ribbons for those talented, artistic young folks as well.

The fair gets under way with a goat show at 11 a.m. Friday. The schedule for the remainder of the three days includes:

Friday:

4H Interclub Dairy Show 1:30 p.m.

Ambassador Competition 5:30 p.m.

Dufferin-Wellington Holsteins 6:30 p.m.

Horse Pull Competition 6:15 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies 7 p.m.

Evening Entertainment: The Itchy Scratchy Band (after opening ceremonies).

Saturday:

Draft and Pinto Horse Shows 9 a.m.

Rabbit & Cavy Show   9 a.m.

Draft Horse Show 9 a.m.

Highland Dancers 10 a.m.

4H Beef Calf Club Achievement 10:30 a.m.

Kiddie Tractor Pull 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.

‘Road Hazards” Car Show 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Truck & Tractor Pull 11 a.m.

Pet show 11:30 a.m.

Tom’s Martial Arts, 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.

Open Breeding Heifers, noon, followed by Open Junior Beef Showmanship and Open Jackpot Market Heifer and Steer.

Campfire Poets, 1:45 and 5:30 p.m.

Dog & Cat Show 3 p.m.

Party Safari meet & greet, 3:30 p.m.

Mystic Drumz, 4 p.m.

Two of A Kind, 4:45 p.m.

The Caverners, Canada’s Premier Beatles Show! – 8 p.m.

Sunday:

Horse Shoe Pitching Competition 9:30 a.m.

Non-denominational Church Service  10 a.m.

Farmers Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kiddie Tractor Pull 1 p.m.

Miniature Horse Show 9:30 a.m.

Shorthorn Show 10:30 a.m.

Charolais Show 10:30 a.m.

MOE Hereford Show 1:30 p.m.

Angus Show 1:30 p.m.

Sheep Show 2 p.m.

Barrel Racing Show 11 a.m.

Garden Tractor Pull 11 a.m.

Demolition Derby-6:30 p.m.

Tom’s Martial Arts 11:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m.

Campfire Poets 1:30, 4:30 p.m.

Two of a Kind 12 noon, 3 p.m.

Party Safari meet & greet 11 a.m., 3 p.m.

All Weekend:

Home Craft Displays

Popular Vendors & Food

Antique Power Equipment Display

Livestock Shows

Live Music

Beer Tent

Albion Amusements Midway

Agricultural Displays

Pony Rides & Petting Zoo

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