The Drayton Fair will celebrate the 100th anniversary of 4-H when the gates open for the 157th annual fair Aug. 9 to 11.
“The theme this year is Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Canada, so please make sure to visit all the exciting exhibits on the fairgrounds,” Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society president Brad Schieck said in a message to fair-goers.
“We are always looking for new members and new ideas.”
Mayor Bruce Whale offered in the fair program his congratulations to organizers. He also invited everyone to attend.
“This annual event dates back to 1856 when my great, great, great grandfather’s family was farming in this community. At that time it was an important social event where people would visit but also a chance for them to show off their field and garden crops of the year as well as their livestock, in a friendly competition,” the mayor stated.
“Today that tradition still exists in an expanded format to include the entire family in the competition as well as the weekend of fun and entertainment.”
The fair opens Aug. 9 at 5pm with the exhibit halls and midway operating, while the Ontario Truck and Tractor Pulling Association (OTTPA) truck pull begins at 6:30pm.
Gates open gain at 7:30am on Aug. 10, with the exhibit halls opening up at 10am. Other morning events include the heavy horse show at 10:30am and the goat show at 11am. At noon the midway opens and the dairy cattle show gets underway. Afternoon events include a garden tractor pull at 1pm, pet show at 2pm, the Peter Mennie magic show at 3pm and the OTTPA sanctioned tractor pull at 6pm.
On Aug. 11 the gates will again open at 7:30am, with the exhibits and miniature horse show set to begin at 9am. The beef cattle show and the midway are scheduled to open up at noon. Afternoon events include a sheep show at 12:30pm and demolition derby at 2pm, with the midway closing at 5pm.
Coffee and breakfast will be available on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Adult admission to the fair is $10 daily or $25 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 are free all weekend. A new option this year is a family pass costing $25 for a family of four.
Those seeking an early start on the fun can take in Toonie Thursday, when all rides will be $2 each. Midway passes will be available for $25.
