ARTHUR – A tractor pull, open-air cinema, a roast beef dinner, escape room and, of course, a variety of farm animals are just a few of the elements to attract people to the Arthur Fall Fair.
“There’s lots of different things to view,” said Arthur Agricultural Society secretary Lianne Kaminski.
This year’s fair runs from Sept. 5 to 8 at the Arthur Community Centre and Fairgrounds, with the theme “Corn Stalks and Autumn Walks.”
That theme will be highlighted in the craft exhibits and competitions that are a mainstay of the fair, Kaminski said.
With exhibits of arts, crafts, baking, preserves and horticulture, the fair offers an opportunity for people to come out and showcase their talents, she said.
“That sometimes is what draws people in, because they’ve entered their stuff, and they want to see how their stuff has placed,” said Kaminski, noting there are some people who travel the circuit of fall fairs for the chance to see how their baking, knitting or quilting skills measure up.
But there is lots more to draw people in to the Arthur Fall Fair.
Kaminski said the kick-off roast beef dinner on Sept. 5 from 5 to 7:30pm is a “key event,” and something for which the fair is known.
“Last year, for example, we fed over 800 people,” she said.
People can also begin registering their exhibits on Thursday evening at the arena.
On Friday, the grounds and arena will be open from 9 to 11:30am for the placing of exhibits, and judging will take place that afternoon.
Kaminski said the Fair Ambassador competition will take place Friday night as part of the official opening of the fair.
Outgoing ambassador Kelsey Lennox crowned current ambassador Kaitlin Gorman at last year’s fair, and a new ambassador will be crowned this year. Community News file photo
According to the “President’s Message” printed in this year’s fair book, the ambassador program is how Arthur Agricultural Society president Mandy Jones made her first connection to the society back in 2005.
“I immediately felt the warmth from the ‘fair family’ who took us under their wings and showed us the ropes,” Jones wrote in her message of her experience as an ambassador contestant.
While this year’s competition is going on, many families will be outdoors watching the antics of a lasagna-loving orange cat.
The Garfield Movie, starring Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield, will be screened at 8pm.
“We do admission by donation, so we’re not charging for families to come into the fairgrounds that evening,” said Kaminski.
“That started as a way to give back to the community after COVID.”
Saturday night will also feature some entertainment, something Kaminski said has been absent from the fair for a while.
That entertainment comes in the form of lawn tractor pulls, hosted on the fairgrounds by Big Creek Tractor Pullers Association.
There will also be lots to do throughout the day on Saturday.
“The 4H shows on the Saturday are quite large and well attended,” Kaminski said.
These include a beef, dairy and open livestock show, which could include sheep. Kaminski estimated there could be 40 or more animals shown in these competitions.
“There are a lot of animals on the fairground that day,” she said.
Other entertainment includes a juggling, magic and comedy show; free bucket rides from Wellington North Power; Adventure Mania Inflatables for all ages; a “Tunes for Tots” performance; zucchini races; a sand castle build; and more.
New this year will be an escape room set up on site from 11am to 4pm Saturday.
Sunday includes more animals, with the western horse show at 10am, sheep shearing demonstrations in the afternoon, and a pet show and frog jumping contest.
The inflatables will continue to be available Sunday, and there will also be balloon twisting, face painting, a kids pedal tractor pull, and – new this year – a mechanical bull for all ages to try.
“There literally is something for everybody,” said Kaminski.
Tickets to the fair on Saturday and Sunday are $10 for those aged 13 and up. Admission is free for kids 12 and under.
For those who only want to take in the tractor pull on Saturday night, admission is $5 after 5pm. A weekend wristband costs $15.
People can buy tickets in advance online at events.frontdoor.plus/event/664.
To check out the fair book and schedule, visit arthurfallfair.com.
