The 161st Bayfield Fair is now part of the memory banks of many people from near and far. Several new folks to the fair found the fair has retained the traditions that their image of “fair” has. Many like the opportunities to see the animals from the large heavy horses to the small chicks. Others are attracted to the new competitions or entertainment that is offered each year. The truly amazing fact is it is all organized by volunteers who want to see this annual event be a highlight for the community every summer.

The highlights for me this year are: Irene Okahashi being absolutely shocked being given the President’s Award for being a long term vendor at the Bayfield Fair. She has been a vendor, exhibitor, and ticket seller for a long time and what is quite amazing is the fact that the money for anything she sells goes to Crime Stoppers. She proudly had her ribbon pinned at the front of her booth.

The three dignitaries were great sports about the competition they faced at the Opening. What was inspiring is they were encouraging each other and helping one another with suggestions.

The fireworks were great but when speaking with Michael who set off the spectacle, it was strange to be doing it with the sign saying “No Smoking” just behind him and with several fire department members nearby.

It was a proud moment to see so many flags that the Ag Society gave out at the beginning of the parade being waved as the parade wound its way through the heart of the village. The families lining the route were definitely patriotic and enthusiastic.

The quilt car was a unique combination of blanket and vehicle and as the owner said she can always keep warm. Many stares were observed when it slowly drove by.

The dunk tank proved to be a centre of a lot of excitement with children dunking their parents and the public dunking a police officer, or mayor, or fire department member, or radio celebrity. Everyone was a great sport and got into the role of challenging each person throwing the ball.

A lot of skill had been noticed for the drivers of the Friesian horses as they drove through the obstacle course. They were brought from a trot to walk to fast pace as they manoeuvered though the various sections of the course.

Who thought watching pigs run for a drink of milk could be so entertaining and exciting. The cheering and pig calling all combined to make many a smile to a large crowd. The winner in addition to bragging rights, which went well into the night hours, got to also provide a charity with a donation. People became very attached to their pig and there is rumour that possibly a few of the pigs had their feelings hurt with some of the names provided.

Exploding watermelons are hard to describe until you experience it. Many of the participants in the watermelon competition ended up with blisters and aching muscles as they put repeated layers of elastic bands on a watermelon. The melons did not disappoint as they took their time but they did explode.

A visual highlight was seeing one busker walking around on stilts and being so tall he was looking down at the folks who were in the cab of the modern tractor.

A special highlight was checking the statistics of the number of entries on all the exhibits in the arena. Except in two sections there were increased entries. The handcraft section has the most with over 300 entries.

My final highlight was seeing the number of young people carrying stuffed toys away after having a great time at the midway. They were leaving with a souvenir of a happy experience and that is what a fair should provide.

Reports are already written and being written about suggestions for next year and the Ag Society welcomes input by asking you to fill in a questionnaire online on the website www.bayfieldfair.ca . Volunteers are always welcome and an invitation to come to the after-fair meeting is extended for September 11 at 7 p.m. in the basement of St Andrews United Church. Thanks for making the 161st fair great.

Our admission rates have not changed! Here they are for your convenience:

Children (12 and under):             FREE
Adults:                                        $5/day or $10/weekend

Ribs Fest:                                    Admission included in Price of Ribs.
(w/ Beer Tent)
Carnival Music Fest:                    FREE, with donation to Bayfield Agricultural Society.
(w/ Beer Tent)

Sunday ‘Ol Time Jamboree:        $5

Traditions are integrated into many family activities.  The “fair” tradition has been a part of many communities throughout Ontario for as long as Canada has been a nation and many years longer.  One of the local fairs –the Bayfield Community Fair on August 18 – 20 has been part of the region for 161 years and continues to provide a venue for competition, entertainment, and a social gathering point with its theme this year “Remembering Canadian Country Dreams.”

It continues a long history of competition in art, photography, culinary arts, vegetables, fruit, children’s classes, field crops, handwork, and woodwork.  There is still judging of sheep, dairy calves, and horses.  There are always places to buy food but possibly not on the doctor’s list.  New forms of entertainment bring out the fairgoers who want to see what is new and new competitions bring out the curious.

This year the Bayfield Fair continues its favourite farmyard pet display.  The old and young can’t resist the look of a young lamb or the crowing of a rooster or the curiosity of a kitten.  There is no resistance from any age about climbing into the cab of a modern tractor and dreaming about taking it for a drive.  The midway attracts the young to its rides, and games, and food.  Midways are making their last appearances in the smaller communities as insurance rates and fuel costs make it challenging to continue.  The youngsters also get to ride a small train around the grounds and imagine what the dreams were when tracks were first laid in this area.

The opening night of the fair begins with the aroma of ribs wafting through the gates when they open at 4:30.  After purchasing a meal of ribs, people can relax listening to a young band “The Odd Soul Collective” which received rave reviews the previous year.  There will be refreshments available to accompany the ribs.  Hot air balloon rides will be available thanks to Re/Max Reliable Realty Inc.  A Dignitary Challenge will follow the opening and Lisa Thompson MPP was disappointed that she could not defend her title from last year.  Many young people will be sharing their talents at the Rise2Fame competition with winners going on to perform at the Western Fair in London.  The evening concludes with a fireworks presentation.

On Saturday a Western horse show begins in the morning.  The parade will wind along the main street and behind the fairgrounds.  This year there will be lots of flags flying as Bayfield will be celebrating Canada’s 150.  A quilt car will drive along the route.  Two buskers will be performing at the fair and they will also be slipping out to various locations within the village.  The 4-H shows provide the young people with a chance to show how well they are able to present their animal and their training is very evident.  A discovery tent will engage all who enter into learning about reptiles in Huron County.  In the arena the kids get to enjoy the wiggle cars and the wheat box as well as face painting and ballooning.  The Friesian horses will be showing off their beauty and conformation to an appreciative crowd.  A dunk tank will test the accuracy of anyone wanting to dunk the volunteer.  The children get to test their endurance and strength as they compete in the mini-tractor pull.  The event that may attract the most cheering is the pig demonstrations.  There will likely be some geese or chickens and possibly sheep also part of the demonstration.  The evening comes to a close with the Carnival Music Festival featuring Boy in December, The Blacklist Social, and I Mother Earth.

The miniature horses begin the Sunday program.  The Community Church Service is held with the sound of bleating and crowing in the background.  It usually ends just when the heavy horses start to appear in the main show ring.  Fiddles and piano music can be heard from the auditorium as the jamboree settles into its afternoon.  Some of the young winners from the Rise2Fame will perform with perhaps their first non-competitive audience.  The adopt-a-pet rescue will be having some cats and dogs which need permanent homes and people can learn how they can provide a home.  The final competition for the fair will be a watermelon challenge for five teams.  It is a new way to handle watermelons.

There are over 220 fairs in Ontario and the Bayfield fair is just one which continues to have Canadian country dreams and promotes a rural way of life.  It is all set for the community to keep the family traditions of exhibiting, competing, sampling food, meeting friends, and enjoying entertainment.  Make it a tradition by being there.