While midways may need fall fairs, local experience is proving that fall fairs may not need midways.
After expressing disappointment with the amusement ride company hired for their events, officials with the Aberfoyle and Arthur fall fairs may be re-thinking the midway idea altogether.
Officials and fair-goers alike have voiced their displeasure with what they say was a dismal showing of rides and amusements at the fairs, both held on the weekend of Sept. 5 to 7.
In Aberfoyle, there were less than a handful of bouncy castle-type venues and rides/amusements. In Arthur the situation was similar.
Both fairs had contracted Billy G. Amusements of Erin to provide midway operations.
Aberfoyle and Arthur are not alone in their experience with the company. A CBC News story earlier this summer stated the same company was a no-show at fairs in the eastern Ontario communities of Chesterville, Maxville and Almonte.
But for people like Aberfoyle Agricultural Society president Charlie Tilt, this year’s experience may be a blessing in disguise.
“I think it has been a bonus, because a lot of people did not have to fight kids to get on rides,” Tilt said in a recent telephone interview with the Advertiser.
There were some bouncy castles and everyone seemed happier, he added.
“It was a negative that turned into a positive. Families ended up more happy and community-oriented,” said Tilt.
As such, he noted the fair board may reconsider whether a midway is even needed in the future.
“There’s quite a few fairs in Ontario which do not have midways,” Tilt said, adding such a move would “make the fair more community-oriented, so we’ll think about it.”
After everything is sorted out from this year’s fair, “we’re going to sit down and decide the future [direction] the fair is going.”
Tilt noted 2015 marks the 175th anniversary of the Aberfoyle Fall Fair.
“It’s one of the older fairs in the province and we’ve had a lot more people step forward wanting to help out,” he said.
As for the fair itself, the Friday night storm put a damper on some events, “but Saturday was a real success.” He said there was great participation in the kids games, “a real hit was the toonie-in-the-straw.”
Plus, he said there was a really good horse show and 4-H showing.
Arthur Agricultural Society past president Mary Slater was clear in her message regarding Billy G. Amusements.
“They won’t be coming back,” said Slater. She acknowledged the company did show up with a few items – and like Tilt, she did not feel the lack of a midway really affected the fair.
“We had so many other things to offer. The exotic pets were fantastic,” said Slater.
However, she explained there are certain expectations when there is a signed contract for services.
Slater said last year the midway was a “disaster” because the company hired at that time, had been involved in an accident a month before the fair.
Overall, Slater described Arthur as “a wonderful fair which keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
Representatives from Billy G. Amusements did not return calls by press time.
In the CBC story, company owner Bill Gordon said the biggest challenge for his company was finding people to move around during the summer to set up and operate the rides.
