The Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society has reached a milestone achieved by few other organizations.
From Aug. 5 to 7 the society will host the “160th Old Tyme Fair” at the Drayton Fairgrounds.
“This is a huge milestone to reach,” said Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society president Jim Zantinge. “We could not have done it without the support of the community, dedicated volunteers and hard working directors. Each year the board makes changes in hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
A residential front lawn decorating contest, fair euchre, Chets Custom Colts, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, Air Bounce Inflatables and a “children’s special guest” are new to this year’s fair.
Residents’ front lawns must be decorated with the fair theme, “160th Old Tyme Fair” and the date of the fair to participate in the contest. Prizes are $50 for first place, $40 for second and $25 for third. Winners will select a gift certificate from the business of their choice in the Mapleton area. Entrants are asked to email the Drayton Fair at draytonfair@hotmail.com with their contact information. Lawns will be judged one week prior to the fair weekend.
New to Friday night’s lineup is a fair euchre sponsored by the Drayton Legion. Admission to the euchre is included in the admission price at the fair gates. Games are open to participants of any age or experience with plenty of prizes to be won.
The heavy horse show on Saturday morning begins at 11am. For a number of years the show had previously run at 10:30am. Between the first and second classes, and after the last class, Chet Martin from Martin Ranch – Chets Custom Colts of Mapleton will perform a reining demonstration. Audience members will be able to watch colts develop as they begin to understand what it means to perform actions, not just reactions. These training methods are used in helping to lay a solid foundation for every type of horse.
At 1pm, another new show, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, will take the stage in the exhibitors building. The popular educational, entertaining and interactive show includes arachnids, amphibians, turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards and crocodilians.
Always a fair-goers favourite, Air Bounce Inflatables will be on site with inflatables suitable for children.
A jousting ring will be set up for older children and the young at heart.
On Sunday at 1pm the fair board will present a recently-booked children’s special guest. Children of all ages will be thrilled to meet the mystery guest who will be attending the Drayton Fair for the first time.
As businesses have responded favourably to the store front window decoration contest in the past, the fair board has decided to run the competition again this year. Windows will be judged one week prior to the fair weekend. Entries must be decorated with the “Old Tyme Fair” theme and the date of the fair. Prizes are $50, $40 and $25. Winners will be given the option to select a gift certificate from the business of their choice. Stores are reminded to register their decorated storefront windows by emailing draytonfair@hotmail.com.
Adults and children are encouraged to pick up a copy of the fair book and take part in the ice cream cone scavenger hunt. Count the number of ice cream cones placed throughout the fair book. Bring your guess to the jar on the secretary’s desk at the fair office on fair weekend. The first four correct guesses, drawn on Sunday at 3pm, will win a $10 gift card from à la mode cafe & ice cream shop.
Fair books can be picked up at à la mode, Hair Daze, the Post Office, Drayton Food Market, Drayton library and the Moorefield Diner.
The gates and exhibits open Friday night at 5pm with the local tractor and truck pull taking the track at 6:30pm. Back by popular demand are the workstock and “run what you bring” classes.
Saturday morning the gates open at 7:30am, exhibits at 10am and the heavy horse show begins at 11am.
On the schedule for the remainder of the day are various animal shows, Drayton Kinettes kids games, baby show and antique tractor display.
The evening begins with an OTTPA tractor and truck pull at 6pm. One new class – super modified 4×4 pickup trucks – is expected to be a crowd pleaser.
On Sunday morning the Drayton Legion will be serving a “something for everyone” breakfast at the agricultural building (old arena) from 8 to 10:30am. Gates open at 7:30am, exhibits at 9am. Excavator games, beef and sheep shows and the popular demolition derby round out the day.
“Make sure you come out and bring some friends, family and new neighbours and support the local fair. There is always lots to see and do,” Zantinge said.
Admission prices are $10 for adults ($15 after 5pm), $5 for children aged six to 12, and free for those under six. Kids wristbands can be used all weekend. Adult weekend passes are $25.
For more information visit www.draytonfair.com, email draytonfair@hotmail.com or call Natalie at 519-638-5093 or Arlie at 519-638-3323.
