Fair Time is Family Time for the 131st annual fair here.
Like many local fair groups, fair organizers have posted the fairbook online at www.palmerstonfair.com.
A tractor pull in late July is just a lead in to the events at the end of August, one of which is the half price night at the Norgan Theatre the weekend before the fair.
The event kicks off on Aug. 25 at with the Ambassador competition and the official opening of the fair.
But for many, it won’t be the fair itself until Friday night with the parade at 6pm. That parade assembles at 5:30pm at Lawrence Park (at the corner of Daly and Brunswick).
The arena opens to the public after the parade with the Taste of Minto starting at 7pm.
Saturday morning events start at 8am with the farmers’ breakfast, followed by the tailgate garage sale and farmer’s market.
The market, from 9am to 1pm, will offer a chance to enjoy the best products grown and prepared in the area – baking, garden produce, plants, farm fresh products, and more.
Additional morning events include the pet show, baby show, tiny tyke dairy calf show followed by the Over the Hill competition.
Noon hour activities include the start of the open 4-H dairy show and the largest family competition.
Weather permitting, residents may also be able to get a sky high view of the fair with helicopter rides at the fairgrounds arranged by Countryview Farms
Afternoon events include the children’s carnival, pedal tractor pull, dog agility show, the auction of champions, followed by the Junior Farmer’s roast pork dinner at 6pm.
The auction of champions at 3pm is an opportunity to bid on the first place exhibits of beef, lamb, pork, baked goods, and wine.
Sunday events include a 10am church service followed by a tiny tyke beef show at noon, the ATV and lawnmower pull at 12:30pm, and the Anglican Church chicken supper at 4:30pm on Aug. 30 at 10am in the community centre. Enjoy a guest speaker and inspirational music program. The offering will be donated to the Food Grains Bank.
For more information: visit www.palmerstonfair.com.
President Mert Schneider encouraged residents to bring their entire family to the fair and to participate in all the activities.
Welcome to the 2010 Palmerston Agricultural Fair. This year’s theme is Fair Time is Family Time. I would encourage you to come out and bring your entire family to the fair and participate in all the activities.
There are special events to interest all age groups – from the tractor pull late July until Aug 27 to 29, the fair weekend, there is plenty to see and do.
Grace Canning, Homecraft President said the Palmerston Agricultural Society is particularly celebrating the family this year.
There will be a prize for the family with the most members at the fair at one time. Check the fair book for the time and place the family must gather, for the winner to be declared.
One of the major changes at the fair this year is the moving of the dairy ring into the arena side of the complex. As a result, a number of exhibits will be moved. The baking, canning, and photography will be in the curling side this year.
Consider parking on the other side if you have a number of entries in those classes.
Check out the fair family history book. That will be a work in progress, as organizers try to document the contributions of all the people who have given of themselves to keep the Palmerston Agricultural Society, a strong organization. Organizers want community members to help them. A family story or one about a family member no longer with the community, is something that organizers want to be included in the history.
Ben Hartung, 2009-2010 Palmerston Fair Ambassador wrote, “During the fair it is a time to bring family, friends and the urban and rural community together. This year’s theme says it all; Fair Time is Family Time. The fair brings everyone together to enjoy the events and sights of what our community has to offer.”
Hartung said, “I would like to thank all the many under appreciated and dedicated volunteers that help organize this weekend. The festivities of the fair would not be possible without them.
“This past year has been a lot of fun working with the Agricultural Society. I would like to send out a special thanks to … Jessalyn Dopfer. While I was away at school, she proudly represented the fair at our district meeting, annual meeting and the Palmerston Santa Claus parade.”
“I am looking forward to seeing the community come together once again this August. I wish everyone another successful fair and hope to see everyone there.”
Agri-Awareness Day
Even though the fair will be but a memory by Sept. 15, its influence continues with an Agri-Awareness Day, which continues to give students an opportunity to get out of the traditional classroom, step into interactive exhibits, and learn about agriculture within a hands-on environment. It is to be hoped the students go back to their classrooms and their homes with a better understanding of this industry that they see in their own communities.
This past year, grade six students from Palmerston, Wallace, Howick, and Listowel Central Public Schools participated in a day of activities. Representatives of the dairy, pork, sheep, and alpaca commodity groups returned once again to share valuable information. Dynamic booths giving other perspectives of agriculture were also set up by the Listowel Vet Clinic, Farm Safety, and Maitland Valley Conservation. The students even got to see how wool was processed and spun into yarn that maybe one day will be a hat for them.
The committee will once again be inviting local students to attend the 2010 Agri-Awareness Day.
For more information and an online edition of the fair book check out the fair website at www.palmerstonfair.com.
