FERGUS – The Fergus Agricultural Society’s fall fair ran Sept. 12 to 14, showcasing local agriculture, heavy machines and country music.
Now in its 188th year, the fair continues to grow while staying true to its cattle show, farm-town roots.
The theme this year was “jammin’ at the fair.”
Oakville resident Mazen Zehairi said he got a taste of farm life not typically available to urbanites.
“My favourite part was definitely seeing the animals,” he said as a curious, young goat stood on its hind legs peering from a pen.
Zehairi said it’s easy to forget how crucial agriculture is to the Canadian economy and feeding people when it’s not accessible.
Austin Hotchkiss holds 14-month-old Wesley as he pets a lamb at the Fergus Fall Fair on Sept. 14. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
Brian Starr, who has been involved in farming as long as he can remember, said that’s exactly where the fall fair comes in.
City-based people don’t have the opportunity to access agriculture up close, Starr said.
Moments before, he taught a group gathered around his table in the exhibit shed how to grade and judge an ear of corn for yield, uniformity, disease and quality.
They’ll never look at an ear of corn the same way again, he said.
Former Elora resident Meaghan Mechler returned with Toronto friends Kris Tsang and Kailo Ando for her 32nd birthday.
The western games horse show draws Mechler back to the fair, but for Tsang and Ando, the 4-H poultry tent was where it’s at, with “an extraordinary amount of chickens.”
“It’s cool, I’m happy how easy it is to see everything,” Ando said. “I got to pet an award-winning chicken.
“Who doesn’t want to pet an award-winning chicken?”
Tsang jumped in, “Although we rarely agree with the judges.”
“I judge them on vibes,” Tsang said of the birds.
Kris Tsang, left, and Kailo Ando pet a chick under the 4-H poultry tent at the Fergus Fall Fair on Sept. 14. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
The fair also drew locals who attended the fair for the first time, said fair entertainment committee member Jane Shaw.
“I had a couple families that are from the area that have lived here for 15 years and had never been to the fair,” Shaw said.
“They were super excited to be able to come out, because there is lots going on.”
Arthur resident Doug Gibson cheered on his seven-year-old daughter Paislee from the sidelines of a pedal pull, where she pedaled 35-pounds in weights hitched to a John Deere model tractor.
“Last year I got second,” Paislee said.
“We all did this when we were kids; they absolutely love it,” Doug said, adding his son Maximus also placed in the competition.
There were also dog shows, livestock competitions, horse shoeing and sheep shearing demonstrations, entertainers, a car show, a midway and live music – to name some of what the fair brought to town.
