ABERFOYLE – With the fairgrounds under construction, last year’s Aberfoyle Fall Fair was a somewhat smaller affair, but this year the fair is back at full strength and then some.
“We got a lot happening this year,” said Aberfoyle Agricultural Society first vice president Vinnie Klimkosz.
“We kind of went all out to do a bit more.”
The fair takes place Sept. 6 and 7 at the fairgrounds on Brock Road at the Puslinch Community Centre, which will become a hub of entertainment and activity for the event.
Asked what new and exciting features people could expect from this year’s fair, Klimkosz first named something old.
“This year, we’re bringing back the antique tractor pull,” he said.
It’s a fitting event for a fair that is in its 182nd year and is known for its rich agricultural history. The tractor pull was on hiatus last year due to construction at the site, but this year the old-time machines will compete for cash prizes on a newly built track, in a contest that is not about speed, but strength and power.
“The antique tractor pull has always been a crowd favourite, drawing enthusiasts from near and far to witness the mighty machines of yesteryear in action,” stated a fair news release.
The event, part of the fair’s Friday night festivities, will start with weigh-ins at 5:30pm and the pulling getting underway at 7pm.
It’s just one of many things to attract visitors to the fairgrounds on Friday evening.
Klimkosz also highlighted the “Sample, Sip and Savour” event, where he said “people can sample food from various restaurants.”
Samples will be free, with options for people to buy more of what they like, he explained.
“This year, we’re also doing motocross,” he said, noting the motocross show will also be part of the Friday night entertainment.
“They’re going to be doing all kinds of tricks and cool stuff with their bikes,” said Klimkosz.
There will also be food trucks, bouncy castles and live music from Uncle Jesse’s Band. The fun continues on Saturday with “entertainment basically all day,” Klimkosz said.
The hobbies and crafts, home baking, roots and vegetables, arts, horticulture and more will be on display in the exhibit hall. And, of course, “we’re going to have animals out for kids to see.”
The fair will include a 4-H sheep show, a junior horse show and a pet show, with categories for dogs, cats and “unusual” small animals.
There will also be hobby horse races – “the kids love ‘em,” said Klimkosz – and a stuffed animal competition.
More power – Tractor and ATV pulls are popular at the fair.
Advertiser file photo
Kids can also enjoy the bouncy castles, face painting and bubble zone, or build their own zucchini race car.
Blacksmithing and chainsaw carving demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday morning, and later in the day there will be motocross and ATV and lawn tractor pulls.
Another new feature Klimkosz highlighted is roller skating in the rink. All-ages roller skating will be available from 4 to 6:30pm, and disco roller skating for the grown-ups will be from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
You don’t even need your own wheels, said Klimkosz.
“The company supplies all the stuff, so you just gotta show up,” he said.
Klimkosz described the weekend’s entertainment and activities as “a bunch of fun stuff.”
“It’s an action-packed weekend that promises fun for all ages,” the news release stated.
Tickets to the fair are $20 for those 12 and over, $10 for those aged six to 12, and free for kids under six.
People can buy tickets online. For details, click the schedule tab at sites.google.com/view/aberfoyleagriculturalsociety.
Visitors are also reminded of the parking available at the township lot on Wellington Road 34. A shuttle bus will run every half hour from the lot to the fair throughout the event.
