Aberfoyle is holding a celebration 175 years in the making.
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Aberfoyle Agricultural Society and an old-time tradition will be the newest addition to this year’s fair lineup on Sept. 11 and 12.
Agricultural society past president Don McKay and current president Charlie Tilt were at Puslinch council earlier this summer to provide an update on this year’s festivities.
Tilt said a number of things are going to change with the fair this year.
He said the 4-H sheep club has expanded tremendously and the garden club has almost doubled in size.
Tilt added “All I can say is that if it doesn’t rain, it’s going to be a sunny fair.”
McKay added, “Because this is the 175th anniversary of the society we wanted to do it up big for the fair.”
The community is fortunate to have a group that put on a threshing bee both five and 10 years ago, he said
“We approached the group to see if they were interested in being at the fair. So they’ve come out of retirement and are busy getting the steam engines and old tractors and hopefully having some good grain to thresh this September,” he said.
Wagon loads of piled sheaves will be fed into the threshing machines throughout the day. Local collectors have agreed to bring their antique tractors, trucks, cars and equipment for display. Other attractions include shingle makers, saw mill, rope making and a stone crusher. Food and refreshments will be offered in the threshing area by the Puslinch Optimist Club.
In addition to regular fair events, McKay said some of the additions include a lawn tractor pull on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. The antique tractor pull returns on Friday.
“The big thing, along with the other excellent things at the fair, is this threshing bee,” said McKay. “We’ve invited the MP and MPP to the fair and dinner.”
McKay said the community is also fortunate to have a local farmers market right on the fairgrounds.
“We’re going to have an old fashioned threshing bee dinner and we thought this would be an ideal place to hold it – and provides a place to have the event under cover,” said McKay.
Tilt added that “children are going to be admitted free and we are going to honour the longest member of the society.”
Mayor Dennis Lever said he is looking forward to the event, noting, “175 years is a pretty big deal.”
Initially known as the Puslinch Agricultural Society when it was formed in 1840, the society continues to survive, aiming to increase the awareness of, and improve the quality of agriculture, home crafts and the rural lifestyle.
Sept. 11
– Admission: $7, children under 12 are free;
– Homecraft Entries, receiving from 9am to 5pm;
– Local and Area Antique Tractor Pull at 7pm;
– Teen Music Laser Show on ball diamond;
– Musical entertainment.
Sept. 12
– Admission: $10, children under 12 are free;
– Hall open at 9:00am;
– Light Horse Show, Giant Pumpkin Contest;
– 4-H Sheep and Calf Show, Kid’s Tractor Pull;
– Historical Society and Embroiders Display;
– Threshing Bee, roast beef dinner from 5 to 7pm;
– Evening Dance: Puslinch Country Squires;
– Dance at 8pm (advanced tickes are $12.50 and at door are $15).
