Fall fair showcases farming, modern and traditional
Fall fair favourites are all on the itinerary at the Great Northern Exhibition Sept. 22-24.
The midway, demolition derby, the baby show, animal competitions, talent show, ambassador contests are all part of the three-day jam-packed event.
In its 162nd year, the fall fair, is an important tradition in Clearview Township with people of all walks of life coming together to celebrate the community’s agricultural roots.
A display of modern agriculture has been added this year, including the high tech navigation systems and the size of the machinery.
“Some of the stuff that we demonstrate to the kids on education day is about the old way of doing things and the combination of old and new so what we are doing is because people don’t farm 100 acres anymore, they are farming 1,000 acres, we’re showing what they do with modern agriculture,” said Collingwood Agricultural Society president Maureen McLeod.
The goal is to raise awareness about the changing landscape of modern farming, how fields are managed and modern practises.
Construction of the new pavilion was completed this week, precipitating some changes.
“The arrangements this year are temporary because of the construction,” said McLeod.
The pavilion will be the site of the livestock show – dairy and sheep 4H on Friday and beef 4H on Saturday morning with the open beef show in the afternoon after the antique tractor parade, which begins at 1 p.m.
With the beef show moving to the new pavilion, it opened up the big ring and a Welsh pony show has been added. It will be a point show to qualify for the Royal Winter Fair.
To mark Canada 150, the grounds will be decorated with Canada flags and the opening ceremonies, part of Friday night’s programming, will be extended slightly with the addition of a performance by Scottish pipe-and-drum band Beinn Gorm Highlanders.
The weekend starts with education day on the Friday when area students in Grades 3 and 7 spend the day learning about farming and see demonstrations on milking cows and sheep shearing. The fair continues until Sunday, with the closing ceremonies at 4 p.m. Grounds open each day at 9 a.m. Visit www.greatnorthernex.com, for a detailed event schedule. Admission costs $10 for those 13 years and older, $4 for youth 6-12 and children five and under are admitted free. Weekend passes are available and a special Friday night midway all access pass is available.
