It is quite a feat to think that the Bayfield Agricultural Society has created a gathering point for the community for 165 years at its fair. It originally was an event to identify where the best breeding stock was for livestock in the area. It was also an opportunity to compete by exhibiting home grown and home-made produce and items. Most of all it was a place to meet your neighbours and community members and be entertained. Many of those elements have remained over the 165 years but certainly changed to meet the current time period.
This year most of the indoor competition is virtual. Everyone can enter without bringing in entries at specific times and then collecting them after the fair. ALL virtual entries are due on August 13. Take a photo image of your entry and follow the link on the website to enter one or thirty-one classes. Some entries have already been submitted. Note that when you submit your entry, you cannot send in a better picture of the class BUT you can keep on sending in further entries for other classes right up until the deadline. There are computers at the library and they will provide some support if they have time and you can contact the Bayfield Agricultural Society at info@bayfieldfair.ca and assistance with the process will be provided as long as it is not at the last moment. The giant vegetables that you have been nursing along must be delivered to the Office in Agricultural Park on August 20 from 9 to 11:45. The tall corn must also be delivered that day. The entry/membership fee is just $5 and those who have paid early got some hints at how to grow a giant tomato and bake prize winning bread. Is this the year that you finally win that first prize in a class you have been entering for some time? People can enter from anywhere in Canada.
A community barbecued chicken dinner will be available on August 20. The dinner will be barbecued quarter chicken with Pineridge sauce, oven roasted potatoes and creamy coleslaw. Tickets can be ordered through info@bayfieldfair.ca and payment will be through PayPal. The $20 dinners will only be available through preorders. The deadline of August 5th is coming quickly. Have a meal in the park and listen to music by Adam Lang, stay for the opening with Senator Rob Black and watch the extended fireworks at 9 p.m. People can bring their lawn chairs or sit at picnic tables.
A draft schedule of events is on the website. There will be some restrictions this year but everyone is used to that by this point. Safety is a major focus for what is done and the Health Unit will be involved all along the way.
The Bayfield Agricultural Society has missed seeing all our regular fairgoers and welcomes everyone back to our 165th version of the fair. Invite your neighbours or bring someone. For this special year there will be no admission at the gates. Welcome back!