By Sue Tiffin
Published Juhe 1 2017
Cathy Fisher is excited about the 153rd annual Haliburton County Fair.
Fisher a Minden resident is not only working on the fair board but she’s a grandmother to two kids under five and loves to see their excitement.
“It’ll be awesome” she said. “There’s a dog show pony rides laser tag – kids love those things.”
The fair which opens on June 10 at 9 a.m. at the Minden Fairgrounds is presented by the Minden Agricultural Society.
Organizers are hoping residents will participate in the fair exhibitions and will work together with the fair board to continue building on and improving the fair to keep it in the community. Though the 2016 event was popular in recent years attendance has been declining for the fair and new directors stepped up to keep the board numbers strong.
“They were going to fold” said Fisher who is a first-time board volunteer. “There’s no way we’re going to let the fair fold. If you let it go you never get it back.”
The fair board has been working to rejuvenate the county fair by bringing it back to its agricultural roots. An artisan market sheep goat and cow shows highland dancers a horse pull car show and demonstrations of wood processing and sheep shearing are part of the packed events schedule.
A craft beer tasting event mounted horse games and a baseball tournament are sure to be exciting new additions to the fair this year. Afternoon music by the Shout Sister choir Cheryl Lescom and the Paul DesLauriers Band part of the Canadian Blues Legends Series will provide additional entertainment for the day’s events.
Focusing on engaging youth in agricultural topics projects about scarecrows sunflowers and hatching chickens will be presented by children. A LEGO build and play station bean bag toss face painting balloon artist and eating contest are planned for youth as well.
“The best thing about the fair is that what you pay to get in that lets you do all the kid and youth events see the demonstrations and take part in everything. It’s all included. Where could you go for $25 stay all day and see all these things?” said Fisher.
A Friday night beef barbecue held the night before the fair features Todd Nolan and Friends performing alongside an evening of dinner and an auction. Tickets are available at Cranberry Cottage in Haliburton and Organic Times in Minden.
Admission to the fair for adults is $10 children 12 and under pay $7 and a family pass (two adults two kids) costs $25. For more information visit haliburtoncountyfair.ca.
