125th Langton Fair this Wednesday
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Colton Butler really can’t lose as he looks to defend his promotional poster colouring contest title at Wednesday’s 125th Langton Fair.
It’s not that the competition won’t be stiff. And the possibility does exist his creation won’t repeat last year’s run through Langton and District 6 competitions to a second-place finish, provincially out of a field of 213 fairs.
“That was awesome, I was amazed,” confessed the Langton Sacred Heart School Grade 4 student Friday at school.
Butler will be bringing experience and demonstrated success to his return to the Grade 4 competition he won in 2012 as a Grade 3 student. But his effective invincibility is based more on the fact he’s heading in with the right attitude.
“I go into it really to have fun. If I win, I win, if I lose, it’s all part of the game. It’s like hockey.”
Butler’s success wasn’t unprecedented. Fellow Sacred Heart student Veronica Thurston had previously paved to way to victory at the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies conference in Toronto with a winning batch of chocolate chip cookies, whose secret ingredient she confessed, was being baked with ‘love.’
“She made those really good cookies and got very far in it,” said Butler. “I was pleased because I got very far in it.”
His 2012 second-place poster featured a collage of fall colours highlighting a stylized Ferris wheel.
“You see a Ferris wheel mostly at fairs and I thought, well, who don’t I colour a Ferris wheel?”
Heading into this year’s competition, he might be sticking with a ride-based them. “Maybe a roller coaster,” he mused aloud. “You see those at fairs too.”
Butler may well be tough to unseat, but as mentioned, his attitude is the competition is about fun, particularly apt given its host event has been providing just that for the area for a century and a quarter.
“The rides,” said Butler, of one positive aspect, along with the popular Sacred Heart versus Langton Public School tug-of-war competition he’ll be a part of this year on the Eagles junior squad.
Colouring contests, rides and tug-of-war as just three opportunities available as the Langton Fair celebrates its 125th year this Wednesday, September 25 at the Langton Arena and Sports Complex.
The traditional parade gets the excitement rolling at 11 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies, with Norfolk Mayor Dennis Travale officiating. Norfolk OPP will be on hand to present bicycle rodeo awards, with the junior and senior tugs-of-war capping the official kick off.
Other scheduled events including the baby show in the arena at 12:30 p.m., nail-driving (adult and student) competition at 12:45, tobacco hand-tying contest at 1:30, the same time as the Alan Clary Memorial junior talent show finals inside the arena.
A hot noon luncheon will be available at the Langton Community Centre, served up with smiles by members of the Langton Baptist Church. Other features of the day include classic car and tractor (fresh out of the parade) static displays, a Reptile At Risk show, free stage coach rides, and of course, the annual (over 50 years and counting) return of Townsend Midway rides.
The list of adult and school exhibits includes quilts, preserves, photography, baking, flowers, vegetables (including a special category for the unusual) fruit, biggest pumpkin, tallest cornstalk and tallest sunflower with roots.
“There will be lots of other exhibits as well,” said Langton Fair board member Carol Overbaugh.
To commemorate the 125th anniversary, special pins and picture post cards will also be available. Those seeking more information including prize lists or vendor details, are invited to call 519-875-2973 or 519-875-2559.