Following a year of planning, the 165th Bayfield Fair will soon be a weekend of gathering together and celebrating our rural community.  It will be a hybrid fair so our gathering can be safe but still have the essence of competitions, entertainment, and seeing one another again -socially distanced.

Friday night a chicken barbecued dinner will be enjoyed followed by the 165th fair opening.  The opening will feature Senator Rob Black who is a strong advocate for agriculture in Canada.  He will deliver a few comments before officially opening the fair.  Music by Adam Lang will be our stage entertainment during the evening.  An expanded fireworks show will conclude the evening.

Saturday morning people will be treated to a demonstration featuring Arabian horses.  The 4-H shows highlight the work that many young people have been doing all summer looking after and preparing their sheep and dairy calves to show them at our fair.  The Friesian horse show will be in the afternoon with a couple of timed events where horses and driver are tested to see how fast they can manoeuvre through a course.  There will be several children’s activity centres including the Discovery Tent and a “What is it?” tent.  Snippity the clown will be making balloon animals for the children and Tex Rexman will be performing his comedy cowboy entertainment.  It was a pleasure to be able to have him attend this year’s fair since he was originally booked for 2020 until covid changed everyone’s plans.  The evening is also busy with a showcase by the Rise2Fame contestants.  Mary Paige and Irelyn St. Onge will entertain with their versatile talent.

Sunday will feature the heavy horses and community music on the stage.  A local dog agility show will amuse everyone.  Check out the antics of these dogs who are eager to have people cheer them on.

There will be a train ride for the children all weekend.  The animal display barn will be open.  Check out the tractors.  Several community groups will have booths that you can check out.  Homecraft demonstrations will be in the arena as well as a display of “giant” vegetables (giant depends on the weather).  A location with a screen will feature some interviews of people with their memories of past fairs as well as the winners of the virtual fair competitions.

The Bayfield Food Bank will be setting up a booth to accept any food donations that people bring in.  If there is anything we have learned from our past year and a half is to look out for those less fortunate.

“Harvesting Memories, Planting the Future” is an appropriate theme for the 165th fair.  What memories do you hold of fairs in Bayfield?  How can we ensure fairs will be part of the future for Bayfield?  Check out the signage showing who the supporters are for this year’s fair.  Even with very uncertain times, our supporters continued their commitment to the fair.  Their commitment is so appreciated.

See you at the fair!