The Bayfield Fair is certainly characterized by its community effort and spirit. 

One new feature for the fair –the youth stage on Saturday August 15 –has a lineup which consists entirely of community talent.  The first act is The Honey Sweethearts with 7 year old Ava Dawe and her parents accompanying her.  Next is Serena Rutledge who won the Bayfield Rise 2 Fame competition and achieved 3^rd place at the Western Fair.  The third act is Holly Clausius who just graduated from South Huron High School and has recorded her first original song.  The fourth performer is Sarah Hoy who was raised in Wingham.  She has produced her first album and she is preparing for Western university in the fall.  The final performer is Mary Paige St. Onge from Seaforth.  She was runner up at last year’s Western Fair talent competition.  The musical acts will begin at about 12:30 and run through to about 4:30.

The parade is always known for its community spirit.  The various campgrounds have floats filled with happy campers who have creative ways of depicting the current fair theme.  This year it is “Blue Jeans and Machines.”  Some of the Bayfield neighbourhoods also get in on the fun and show their enthusiasm for the event.  This year we hope some of the young people, including the young at heart, will decorate their bikes, trikes, or skateboards and wheel through the parade.

The Ag Society definitely supported the Blue Community Project in Bayfield.  There will be a water bottle refill station set up prominently throughout the fair thanks to the Blue Community members.  If fairgoers forget to bring their refillable water bottle, they will find them for sale at a reasonable price.  There will not be water bottles sold at any of the Ag Society booths.  It was only a few years ago that some of the young members of the Ag Society challenged the group to have recycling containers in visible locations to be better stewards of our environment and the Blue Community Project continues that walk toward making events more environmentally responsible.

The organization received some sad news this past week.  Its long term exhibitor, Helen Turner, passed away at 99 years of age.  Helen received the President’s Award three years ago for her commitment to exhibit flowers at the fair for over 60 years.  She was always proud of the ribbons and rose bowls that she won over the years.  Last year her flower arrangements continued to take prizes.  She had an eye for detail and design and blended different types of flowers well.  She always felt compelled to take part in her community.  The Ag Society does send its condolences to Helen’s family for their loss.

The community can support the fair in several ways.  The easiest is by attending the events on as many days as possible.  The second is by telling others about the events and encouraging them to see the changes that have taken place over the last decade.  The third way to show support is to volunteer.  Last year over 100 people volunteered to ensure the fair was a success.  This year we encourage anyone interested to check the website www.bayfieldfair.ca and see where the need is.

The Bayfield Fair truly is a community fair and annually celebrates rural Ontario.

Music plays a strong role through the duration of the Bayfield Fair which runs from August 14-16. The parade will have four bands adding a melodic segment to all the floats and participants. Two of the bands play under the tent on the fairgrounds following the parade and often one will play on the main street later.
All Saturday afternoon four youth bands will display their musical talent near the cement pad on a small stage donated by the Celtic Festival. Josh Geddis has assembled a collection of talented young people who will prove that music is alive and well in the Bayfield area.
The Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Competition always has several contestants who amaze the judges with their natural abilities. This competition is open to everyone at 7 pm in the auditiorium on Saturday August 15. Contestants should check the Fair’s website to register and be part of this annual event.
Later Saturday evening the Carnival Music Fest kicks off as a licensed event. At 9 pm the evening opens with “Trent Severn” followed by the headlining band “The Sadies”. This event is generously presented by the Goderich Franchised Automobile Dealers, Ashwood Inn & Bourban Bar, Meades Bros. Production, and Stonefield Garden Centre & Market Ltd.. Tickets can be purchased on the Ag Society website: www.bayfieldfair.ca or at local stores. When ordering tickets for the Music Fest, tickets for a day pass for the midway and Ribs Fest tickets could also be purchased.
Hopefully people’s need for music might be satisfied by all there is to offer at the Bayfield Fair. This is one of the many ways the Bayfield Fair celebrates rural Ontario.

The Fair is only a Month Away

Just one month from now the Bayfield Fair will be in full swing continuing a celebration of rural life for 159 years.

Tickets for the midway, Ribs Fest, and Carnival Music Fest will be available online this week.  The midway tickets are $20 which allows the ticket holder to ride the whole day as often as wished.  The Ribs Fest tickets are $20 for an Ontario produced half rack of back ribs, corn, coleslaw, and soft drink.  The Ribs Fest is supported by Sofina Foods and the Huron County Pork Producers.  The corn is grown locally by Hill & Hill.  Also the Carnival Music Fest tickets will be available.

* PURCHASE ONLINE – Midway Pass ($20)
http://www.ticketscene.ca/events/13428/

* PURCHASE ONLINE – Ribs Fest Meal ($20)
http://www.ticketscene.ca/events/13426/
* PURCHASE ONLINE – Music Fest Ticket ($15)
http://www.ticketscene.ca/events/13427/

Tickets can also be obtained in person from Stonefield Garden Centre, Brandon’s Hardware, and Shop Bike Coffee.

An old fashioned staple will be returning to the fair.  A dunk tank is always popular and will be in place on Saturday August 15.  There are always good sports volunteering to challenge those who want to dunk someone at the fair.  Rumour has it some current local politicians and possibly former politicians will dare how accurate fairgoers are.

The parade organizers have four bands prepared to add music to the annual fair parade.  A dance group will dance along the route to show their enthusiasm about the fair.  Children are asked to decorate their bikes, or trikes, or be in costume with their skateboards or other modes of transportation to add to the happy atmosphere of the parade.  Neighbourhoods have shown their enthusiasm and Bayfield spirit by entering floats as well.  Contact Brenda Does at 519-482-3496 and she will let you know where the floats are to line up.  The theme is: Blue Jeans and Machines.  A couple of the bands actually march to the tent area on the fairground and exhibit their skills.  Instead of following the last float and going into the fair you might wish to hop on a wagon which will ferry people back and forth from down town to the fairground’s entrance.

The Rise 2 Fame (Youth Talent Show) competition is held on the evening of August 15.  The rules and entry forms for the competition are on the website www.bayfieldfair.ca.  The event showcases the talent in the area and winners go on to compete at the Western Fair.  This area has proven that it develops wonderful skills in its youth and confident young people.

Volunteers are always welcome.  Check out the website for specific jobs or check out the prize book and decide what can be entered for the competition.  Participate in the Bayfield Fair and make it a memorable part of the summer of 2015.