By Sue Tiffin

Published June 15 2017

Participation numbers aren’t in yet from last weekend’s 153rd Haliburton County Fair but organizers are thrilled with its success.
“From what I saw turnout was the same or better than last year and last year went really well” said Eric Casper president of the Haliburton County Fair executive.
The annual event – older than the country itself – took place on June 10 at the Minden Fairgrounds. A focus on agricultural is essential to the fair but there was something for everyone who attended.
“It’s all about agriculture” said Casper. “But the entertainment gets people there and then they’re walking past a pig or a cow or a goat and they can see where their food comes from and what it’s all about.”

Plenty of families and visitors from out of town took in a classic car show live music mounted games vendor booths traditional crafts facepainting animal demonstrations laser tag and hamster balls and of course fair food.
“It’s fantastic” said Doug Higgins who is from Toronto but bought a farm in Algonquin Highlands. “It’s hot and you can get the best freshly squeezed lemonade ever.”

“It’s great” said Kate Richardson a Gull Lake cottager from Newmarket. “It’s a perfect day.“

Organizers are already talking about ideas to continue growing and evolving the fair next year with the possibility of longer hours a craft beer competition and more animal competitions.