Ameliasburgh Fall Fair

Rural and agricultural heritage remains a central theme

The final event in the triad of County fairs took place on Saturday in Ameliasburgh on a glorious last day of summer. Established in 1855, the fair offered a traditional rural experience with a flair for the whimsical. Where else can you find baking competition categories such as “Muffin Else Compares” and “Your One True Loaf”, or pickles under the moniker of “Rise and Brine”? The longrunning fair boasts multi-generational involvement—one entrant in the flower show traced her family’s participation back to her great-grandmother. There were displays of home crafts, including quilting, knitting and embroidery; the aforementioned floral displays; exhibits of fruits, vegetables and field crops; woodworking, art and photography. As a family- friendly fair, there were similar categories for children from junior kindergarten all the way up to high school. On the fairgrounds there was a livestock show and a horse show where future equestrians showed their riding skills. There were games for children—including the toilet plunger toss—a petting zoo of baby animals, craft vendors and food offerings including “Pie and Tea” from the Rednersville Women’s Institute and Albury Church.

The fair started with a parade led by volunteer fighters and an almost-quorum of councillors and the mayor. There were vintage automobiles and tractors, wagons of farm produce, and a flotilla of children riding bicycles decorated in the fair’s theme of “Colour Me Fall” bringing up the rear. The proceedings officially began with the singing of the national anthem by Jessica Bell and remarks by Mayor Steve Ferguson. “This is the culmination of the County fair season. This is a terrific event, and I’d like to thank all of the volunteers and organizers. There is plenty to see and do. It’s great to be here and I hope everyone has a terrific day,” he said. The fair was then officially declared open by Carson Arthur. He said fairs such as this one are near and dear to his heart. He grew up on an apple farm near Thornbury, Ontario and said he still has a pile of ribbons from his childhood for his entries to the local fair.

“This fair experience is what true community feels like,” he said. The fair organizers then presented Patricia Bandy with Arlie Kerwin Award for volunteer of the year.

One of the highlights of this year’s fair was a juggling demonstration by Paz the Sports Guy of the Hockey Circus Show. It started off with the song Fifty Mission Cap by The Tragically Hip followed by Stomping Tom’s The Hockey amusing anecdotes from the world of professional hockey, particularly the NHL. Leafs fans in the audience were reminded of their long-suffering wait for a Stanley Cup parade. Paz encouraged audience participation, “drafting” a bystander to be his stayat- home defenceman while he performed his signature act of juggling three flaming hockey sticks. Paz thanked to fair organizers for inviting him to the show, and he thanked the audience as well. “Fairs like this happen for only one reason—you,” he said. Later in the afternoon the Reasons entertained the crowd with their wide repertoire of music from the fifties all the way up to the eighties and beyond.