Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair keeps its agricultural roots
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The Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Fair has been promoting agriculture and the rural lifestyle for the past 163 years.
In recognition of that century-and-a-half-plus tradition, they were recently honoured with a commemorative plaque and certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Fairs "celebrating more than 150 years of farming."
This year's 164th Fair on June 22-24 will continue that tradition - with a few minor changes given the earlier fair date.
"We were happy to get it because we try every year to keep the heritage and agriculture going at fair time and promoting it to our youth," said Tillsonburg Fair president Rosemary Dean.
This year's fair will include a 4H horse showmanship show on Saturday, June 23, in addition to the traditional llamas and cow showmanship.
"That is huge for us because we haven't had that for a long time. So that will be a new piece."
The Home Craft Section includes entries of quilts and afghans, hobbies and crafts, collections, photography, and baking and canning, returns with a special theme - Bats, Bugs and Butterflies - for its newly emphasized colouring contest, elementary school display, clever kids, and youth poster competition (divisions range from primary to high school).
The 2018 prize book, which details all the classes, rules and sections for both children and adults can be picked up at the Fairboard office, 47 Hardy Street (519-842-5964). Entry forms must be submitted by June 1st either by dropping them off, mailing, emailing or faxing to the office.
Exhibits will start arriving June 20-22.
Westfield Public School was the first to jump on board with the Home Craft Section's colouring contest, and packages were delivered to each of the other schools in town with positive response.
The biggest change to the 164th Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair will be the midway and rides. Securing World's Finest Shows from Simcoe - 'Ontario's premiere midway provider... providing world-class fun to over 50 fairs, festivals and events each year...' including the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe - meant moving the Tillsonburg Fair ahead several weeks into June. The alternative was no rides. And likely no fair.
The payoff will be never-before seen in Tillsonburg rides.
"The 90-foot drop zone will be here," said Dean. "It will arrive and be put up probably Tuesday (June 19) on the new walkway. They need 90 feet to build it, and 53 feet to make it work... and then it'll be 90 feet up so you'll be able to see it everywhere."
Another featured ride is the Hang Glider. And the Tornado.
"We're excited they're all coming," said Dean.
"All those are new rides for Tillsonburg," Tracy Green, 1st vice president, noted.
"It will be the Drop Zone instead of the Ferris Wheel," noted Dean. "The Ferris Wheel is with World's Finest Shows' other midway."
"We're trying to do our best to accommodate the town and people," said Green. "We hear their voices, and we hear them saying 'the rides aren't the greatest.' So we've done our best to try to get them what they're asking for... and we think we've done good this year. It's been a hard struggle though - it's been very hard."
"And costly," Dean nodded.
In addition to the 11-12 rides, which will include the small children's rides and 'the Dragon' mini-coaster, there will be 10 midway games this year.
"We are doing the best we can to keep our fair going," said Dean.
Admission is $8, which includes entry into the Comic Con, introduced to the fair for the first time in 2017. This year's one-day Comic Con will see Deadpool and Batman coming - with their vehicles. Other special guests will be announced closer to the fair.
Sunday's demolition begins at 2 p.m., annually the biggest draw of the fair. Before they get started, the Power Wheels (children's vehicles) will be competing - they expect 25-30 kids this year.
Friday night's entertainment, which follows the crowning of the Mini King/Queen and Ambassadors, is Whistler Creek and Adam Cousins. Saturday night's entertainment is the Big Creek Tractor Pulling Association.
Also Saturday is the 2018 Baby Show at 10 a.m., located in the Lions Den. Registrations are accepted up to 15 minutes before judging times for each class (13-18 months at 10 a.m., 7-12 months 10:30 a.m. and up to 6 months 11 a.m.). Special sections available (multiples, best dressed). Ilene Chesterman (519-842-8145) is the Baby Show convener.
This year's Pet Show begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, open to children 14-years and under, who must be accompanied by an adult.
Fair Fundraiser
To help offset costs, the Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair is holding a special 'Meet and Greet Your Favourite Cartoon Characters' and Bake Sale at the Delhi Hungarian Hall on Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Admission is $2 per child, and adults are free with the children's admission, and all proceeds will go to the fair.
The first 100 children will receive a free gift bag.
"There will be a bake sale," Dean noted.
"They will be decorating cupcakes, and there will be craft stations for the kids."
The highlight though will be meeting superheroes like Batman and Superman. And characters from Frozen. Lego Batman, five of the Paw Patrol, Doc McStuffins, Hello Kitty, Poppy (Trolls), 'Dory' the Explorer, and a mystery guest.
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are being sold by fair board members as another fundraiser, with a June 24th draw date (6 p.m.) at the fairgrounds. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20.
Prizes are (first) 2 Toronto Maple Leafs tickets... (second) 2 Toronto Blue Jays tickets... (third) 2 London Knights tickets... and (fourth) a patio cooler.
"We don't have many left, we're down to our last 200 tickets... out of 1,000," said Dean, noting they can be purchased at the fairboard office (842-5964).
"We are a 'we team' here with our board, not an 'I team'," said Dean. "And we do the best we can - that's all we can do."
"We work together, not as one," nodded Green.