New events at the fairgrounds and in the community will add excitement to the 159th Drayton Fair, Aug. 7 to 9.
The Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society is encouraging all businesses in Mapleton Township to participate in a storefront window decoration contest. Store fronts must be decorated with the fair theme – Bees and Bears – and the date of the fair.
Windows will be judged a week prior to fair weekend. Businesses competing in the contest can email the Drayton Fair at www.draytonfair@hotmail.com with contact information. The grand prize is lunch with the mayor.
Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll confirmed with the Wellington Advertiser the winner will be able to choose any restaurant in Mapleton Township and he will pick up the tab.
Two new events added to the 2015 schedule are the two-man log saw competition and Teddy Bear Picnic. The sawing competition takes place on Aug. 8 from 12 to 5pm. Entry fee is $5 per team per try. Teams may try multiple times and prize money is $100.
“For the children, we are planning a Teddy Bear Picnic on Sunday August 9, 12:30 to 1:30pm with games, crafts and snacks. Every child who attends receives a gift. Don’t forget to bring your favourite Teddy to the Picnic,” said fair board member Arlie Zantinge.
A bee scavenger hunt has been added to the Drayton Fair Book this year. Count how many buzzing bees are placed throughout the book. Participants should go to the office on fair weekend and place their guess in the jar on the secretary’s desk. The first four correct guesses drawn will win a $10 gift card from à la mode in Drayton. The draw takes place on Aug. 9 at 3pm.
New to the fair in 2014, the Kubota Excavator Games are sure to challenge contestants’ skills again this year. Fair officials are not revealing details of the competition until Sunday morning. There is a $20 entry fee with over $250 in prize money and prizes.
Every baby is a winner at the baby show on Aug. 8 in the agricultural hall. Last minute registration is from 3:45 to 4pm with judging at 4pm. Classes are up to six months, and six to 12 months as of August 8, 2015. For more information contact Phylis Fletcher at 519-638-2372.
Children under 16 can enter their pets in the Pet Show on Aug. 9 at 2pm. Categories include the furriest pet, longest tail, best groomed, most obedient and best trained.
Colouring sheets have been placed at various locations in Drayton for children to pick up, colour and enter into the Dobben’s True Value Colouring Contest. Prizes will be announced at the demolition derby on Sunday. Each contestant will receive a ribbon.
“The fair board is looking for more competitors in the Culinary Crafts section,” said Zantinge. “A variety of special categories from the Doug and Mary Hilborn Special (one dozen butter tarts), to the Ron Ellis Special (two layer chocolate cake – no date filling), are listed in the Fair Book. There is always room for more competitors and there is no exhibitor’s fee for children.”
Fair officials expect the grandstands will be filled to capacity with spectators watching the demolition derby on Aug. 9 at 2pm. The feature derby winner will receive $800 in prize money from sponsor the Drayton Kinsmen, an increase of $100 from last year’s competition. The best-decorated car or truck will be awarded the Dippel’s Family Garage trophy.
The popular Legion breakfast is available on Sunday morning beginning at 7:30am.
Officials are reminding all truck and tractor pull participants and spectators that the Local Truck and Tractor Pull is on Aug. 7 at 6:30pm. At 6pm on Aug. 8, the sanctioned OTTPA Tractor and Truck Pull gets underway.
Gates and exhibits open on Friday night at 5pm. Admission is $10 for adults ($15 after 5pm); $5 for children ages 6 to 12 (kids’ wristbands can be used all weekend). An adult weekend pass is $25.
For more information contact Arlie at 519-638-3323, Natalie at 519-638-5093 or visit www.draytonfair.com or email draytonfair@hotmail.com.
