Everyone looks for the things that are “new” at any familiar event or facility. The Bayfield Fair being held on August 19 – 21 balances the fundamentals that make up the fair with activities and events that bring new life into the annual fair.
This year there is at least one new ribber at the Ribs Fest. Smackwater Jacks was thrilled to be asked to prepare ribs and will have a prime location on Friday night just inside the gates to the right. They are a known fixture in Grand Bend. They were part of an event earlier this year in Bayfield and were excited with the atmosphere and reception they had and want to present their version of excellent ribs.
At the opening at 7 pm there will be a dignitary competition. Each dignitary will be challenged with a timed event of a set of activities. They should be encouraged by all those watching to outdo the others. Their ribbon prizes will be the first given out after the opening takes place.
During the Friday evening music will fill the air as will the smell of tasty ribs. The Odd Soul Collective is a group of musicians around the Exeter area who perform Soul music. They will definitely sooth the spirits of all who attend the opening night while the ribs satisfy their hunger.
All the acts at the Rise2Fame Youth Talent Show in the Community Centre are new; however, the climax for the night will be fireworks which will start promptly at 9 pm. They will be about 10 minutes in length set off by The Weinstein Group from Fergus who are expert in this field. What a way to celebrate 160 years of having a community fair in Bayfield!
On Saturday there are always new floats, vehicles, and performers who participate in the parade on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Bayfield Arena Community Partners Association, who are organizing the parade this year, have some new entries and welcome family and community floats. Let them know you are participating by contacting Ron at 519-263-3031. You will have to watch the parade to see who the parade marshal is this year.
Zachary Wells is a new performer to Bayfield. He was seen doing magic acts on a train trip and has an entertainer business in his off time. He will do a stage performance at 1:30 p.m. with a series of magical and juggling acts. He will be walking throughout the grounds all afternoon performing magical acts with small groups of people seeing if they can figure out how the illusion takes place.
There are two opportunities to paint a pony. Everything is provided. The pony loves the attention and creativity is the only limitation in the final result.
This year there will be several choices for having your Saturday evening meal or snack before or during the Carnival Music Fest. There will be several food trucks set up just inside the gate ready to serve you something healthy and fitting any dietary choice or something that you can enjoy at only those special occasions when you celebrate being around people you enjoy or being at events that must be celebrated with full abandon to dietary restraint. Just a note -only a few tickets remain before the David Wilcox concert is sold out.
On Sunday the King Lyn Precision Team is performing its precision horse riding again in Bayfield and this time they have a new routine which has received great reviews. They perform at noon and 1:30.
Theatre has always been a part of the rural experience. Communities used to get together and celebrate events with plays –in many cases made up for the occasion. On Sunday the Blyth Theatre production of The Last Donnelly Standing will be exposed to the Bayfield visitors through a reading by Gil Garrett. What a wonderful experience to hear Gil up close under the tent reading from the play which is premiering this summer in Blyth.
The inflatables are new this year and will replace a midway. They will be available Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Another new activity will be the Discovery Tent where you get to experience how some well used tools work. Several old fashioned children’s games will be organized on Saturday and Sunday for youngsters to experience.
The list of new events and activities is rather extensive and that is thanks to the Directors and members of the Bayfield Agricultural Society. Their goal is to keep the fair fresh for people who come to the fair every year. People who have not been there for some time should see a big change in what happens at the fair and may even be amazed at the large canoe that will be resting on the tables or see some pictures from the past at the information booth.
The young people have a series of special opportunities to take advantage of for preparing for the fair. There will be a crafts session on Tuesday Aug. 16th and Wednesday Aug. 17th from 1 pm to 4 pm to make some of the crafts which can be entered in the fair. An exciting trike and bike decorating session has been planned in Clan Gregor Square on Friday Aug. 19th at 4 pm (look for the market tent set up near the playground in Clan Gregor Square.) These decorated creations can then be used in the parade the next day.
The Directors could still use some more volunteers to supervise some of the children’s games or the inflatable activities. Volunteers make the events successful and are appreciated by the Ag Society. If you can devote a few hours to assist during the fair, contact info@bayfieldfair.ca.