Drayton Fair returns with something for everyone
DRAYTON – For three days every August, the scents of hay and cotton candy fill the air at the Drayton Fairgrounds, tractors and livestock become a main attraction, and people young and old line up to enjoy some good old-fashioned rural fun.
This year’s Drayton Fair rolls into town Aug. 7, 8 and 9, bringing three jam-packed days of livestock shows, homecraft exhibits, live entertainment and fun for all members of the family.
The fair takes place at the fairgrounds, located at 49 Elm Street, and this year’s theme is “Crafting in the Country.”
Friday, Aug. 7
The fair will kick off on Friday with gates opening at 5pm.
Fairgoers will have some time to grab their favourite snacks before settling down to watch the local truck and tractor pull at 5:30pm.
The fair grounds will remain open until 8pm, allowing visitors to tour the grounds and the exhibit hall.
Saturday, Aug. 8
On the second day of the fair, the busiest of the event, the gates will open at 7:30am.
The first official event of the day will be a soapbox derby hosted by the Drayton Rotary Club. It will take place on John Street starting at 10am.
“That’s new this year,” said Arlie Zantinge, office manager for the Drayton/Mapleton Agricultural Society.
“They did it last year for the Drayton 150 and ... it was so much fun, they decided to go and do it at the fair too.”
Following the soapbox derby, guests are invited to participate in Wellington County library story time, which begins at 11am.
Also at 11am, the goat show and the petting zoo, hosted by Tiger Paw Exotics out of Toronto, begin. Food vendors will also open at 11am.
The 4-H dairy show and kiddie tractor pull will begin at noon, with the exhibit hall opening at the same time.
Also new this year, thanks to sponsors, all children’s activities will be free, including;
– children’s activities and inflatable from 1 to 9pm;
– Chuckles Balloons from 1 to 3pm;
– face painting from 1 to 4pm; and
– a children’s activity table from 1 to 4pm.
For those looking for a good laugh, this year’s event will feature a hands-free watermelon eating contest at 1pm.
“This is actually our secretary’s son’s bright idea,” said Zantinge with a chuckle.
“They’ve researched it all. They’ve got the rules, the whole nine yards.”
Contestants will be broken into three categories: adult, youth and kids.
“You get a slice of watermelon, no hands. Go for it.”
Returning this year, the birds of prey demonstration will take place at 2 and 4pm.
Live music will also be on offer from 2 to 5pm, courtesy of The Hearsay.
Also returning this year is the pet show at 3pm.
“[We accept] any kind of pets,” said Zantinge. “We have had everything from snakes to goldfish to a cow. And we do have a category for stuffies because not everybody has a pet now.”
Following the pet show at 4pm will be the baby show, which includes a category for baby bumps.
At 6pm the Ontario Truck and Tractor Pulling Association’s tractor pull kicks off before a lively night of line dancing at 8pm in the exhibit hall.
The exhibit hall will close at 9pm.
Sunday, Aug. 9
The final day of festivities will see the gates open at 7:30am, followed by a breakfast hosted by the Drayton Legion, from 8 to 11am, upstairs in the agricultural hall.
A community worship service will commence at 10am.
The exhibit hall and food vendors will open at noon. And a variety of free children’s activities will be on offer from noon to 5pm.
The beef show will kick off at noon, followed by the sheep show at 12:30pm.
The well attended and beloved demolition derby will take place at 1pm, providing a smashing conclusion to the weekend.
The exhibit hall closes at 2:30pm.
