Months of planning and volunteer effort will come to fruition when the gates open on the 156th annual Drayton Fair at 5pm, Aug. 10.
“Everything is in place, the midway is booked, we’ve got Mr. Mennie (Peter Mennie the Magic Guy) coming in for the kids and, of course, we have our two big favorites the truck pull and the tractor pull. And then we have the demolition derby to wrap things up on Sunday,” said Brad Schieck president of the Drayton-Mapleton Agricultural Society.
An arm-wrestling tournament, a new event at last year’s fair, will be part of the fun again this year. With categories for men, women and children, Schieck, notes, anyone can participate “If you’re ready to put your arm on the table.”
2011-12 Drayton Fair ambassador Jackie Shaw will be on hand to welcome everyone and open the fair and will serve as ambassador for this year’s fair as well.
“Unfortunately, we have put our ambassador program on hold for one year,” due to a lack of applicants for the 2012-13 competition,” Schieck said.
The society will be reviewing the program in the hopes of revitalizing it and attracting new applicants in time for next year’s event.
“I think it’s important for every fair to have an ambassador,” Schieck said, adding it should be considered “an honour” to represent your local fair.
Being an ambassador is a great opportunity for local young people, says Schieck citing the opportunity to attend community events and participate in the annual Ambassador of the Fairs competition at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), along with over 70 other fair ambassadors from across the province.
Shaw, who was set to participate at the CNE competition, Aug. 17 to 19, had to withdraw due to school commitments. She is taking summer courses at the University of Guelph and is scheduled to write an exam during the competition.
“I’m not sure why we’re not getting enough applicants. That’s what we’re going to be looking at,” Schieck stated.
The fair runs Aug. 10 to 12 at the fairgrounds in Drayton.
