“It’s just a small agricultural fair,” says Doreen Holdright, secretary manager of the Queens County Fair Association. “It reflects the same type of programming that has been going on there for years.”
Fair organizers stay with the heritage aspect, says Holdright.
And there certainly is a heritage aspect. According to the website, the fair has been at the site in Caledonia since a purchase agreement in 1886.
The fair uses the same kind of livestock classes done years ago. Other traditional events include, among other things, garden displays, the domestic manufacturer and baking.
New this year is the midway, which Holdright says will sort of replace the merry-go-round that used to be on site. Although things have not yet been confirmed, some rides might include the scrambler, swings and smaller rides for younger children.
One of the more popular events, says Holdright, is the musical entertainment.
“We do a lot of local bands,” she says.
She says the older crowd also likes the ox and horse pulls.
Holdright says the Light Horse Show brings people from across the province.
“A few years ago we put in a really big show ring, and it’s great for riding, so they come from everywhere because they like to ride in our ring,” she says.
This year because the fair is full, it’s refusing livestock. All commercial vending spaces are also full, says Holdright.
Food
Holdright says there will be a wide variety of food vendors. There is also a dining room on site that serves three meals a day.
Other activities
Ian Stewart, a hypnotist, has been popular the last couple of years, says Holdright.
As well as having a hypnotist on the grounds, there will be a magician. Patrick Drake is set to be at the fair this year.
The Queen Pageant is slated for 8 p.m. Sept. 18. Whomever is crowned queen of the fair gets a $500 bursary.
Olympics
“Our junior and senior farmers’ Olympics competitions are usually a highlight,” says Holdright.
Those events, respectively, are slated for Wednesday and Saturday night.
Parade
This year’s parade is slated for 2 p.m. Sept. 19, with parade lineup at 1 p.m.
The parade begins at North Queens Regional School and goes through Caledonia to the fair grounds.
For more information about the Queens County Fair, contact Doreen Holdright at 682-2567 or visit the website at http://www.queenscountyfair.ca/contact.php.
