ERIN – Volunteers banded together to put on an agricultural fair in Erin for the 175th time this Thanksgiving weekend.
People drove in from across southern Ontario for a taste of rural life during the fair, getting to know animals, farmers and country pastimes.
Attendance over the three days was over 33,000, fair manager Joanne Gregson told the Advertiser.
That’s about 2,600 less than last year, she noted, but “really good considering the weather – rain on and off for three days.”
“Monday was a really good day,” Gregson said, because of “the sun coming out and staying out.”
She expressed appreciation for all the sponsors and visitors to the fair.
“It’s a real community effort and if it wasn’t for everybody’s participation we wouldn’t have the success that we do,” she said.
Past president Jennifer Mitchell has lots of roles in organizing the fair and said it’s important that people realize it’s an entirely volunteer-run event.
Mitchell showed a dairy cow with 4-H in 1989 and said that’s when she really started to get involved with the Erin Fall Fair. By 1994, she was crowned fair ambassador.
From Mitchell’s perspective the fair hasn’t changed too much in the last three decades, though it used to be the same people competing every year and now there are more new people who sign up.
But to Gregson, who has been involved with the fair since 1979, said its changed a lot over the years.
Passion for the fair runs through the Gregson family, and Joanne’s son, Dwayne, is the Erin Agricultural Society president.
Mitchell said the fall fair is a big part of her life, and described it as something that ends up coursing through your veins.
Howie Black agrees. He was the Erin Fall Fair’s first male ambassador in 2000.
Ambassadors from local fall fairs lined up on stage inside the Erin Agricultural Society’s exhibits hall during the fair on Oct. 12. Photo by Robin George
Asked why he decided to compete for the position, he said “one of the old gals” asked him to do it – and he declined.
It was when “another old gal” told him not to do it, because she said he’d never win, that Black jumped at the opportunity – and won.
The Erin Fall Fair is in his blood, Black said, noting his grandfather was the one to initially get the Welsh pony show going at the fair.
It’s a pretty laid back show, Black said, and organizers are quick to offer advice if they notice a rider is new to showing.
Mitchell said it’s important to them to make the show fun, so kids have a great day, learn something new and want to return next year.
She said the Erin Fall Fair is known as the preview to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, as many Erin winners go on to win at the Royal too.
From left, Tonya Henderson, Lucy Murtagh, Ella Hedican, Evelyn MacPherson and Emily MacInnes competed with Welsh ponies. From Port Colborne, Henderson riding Galaxy placed first in the dressage suitability under saddle class for Welsh ponies over three years old. MacPherson from Chatsworth came in second place. Photo by Robin George
That’s not just for horse and pony showing, Black added, but across the board, including cattle, sheep and poultry shows.
Black said unlike some other large fall fairs, Erin’s has remained true to its rural roots instead of becoming commercialized. That’s important, he said, because the fair experience is about appreciating animals, crops, produce, handcrafted quilts and other homemade creations.
As more people move from cities into urban areas, Mitchell said it is vital to continue having conversations about the importance of agriculture.
“Farmers really do care, and work hard, and they do it because they want to provide the world with healthy, nutritious food,” Mitchell said.
People can see that just by looking at the livestock at the fair, Black said, which don’t have a speck of dirt on them.
Livestock shows are highlights of the Erin Fall Fair for many attendees. Photo by Robin George
“Farmers really all love their animals,” Mitchell added.
She noted she’s been noticing complaints on Facebook lately, ranging from the price of admission to weather shutting down rides at times.
Sometimes the amount of complaints make volunteers wonder why they bother dedicating so much time and energy, she added, suggesting people with complaints sign up to volunteer next year.
