What's new and cool at the fair'
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A lot has changed for the 160th Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Society Fair on August 14-17 at the Tillsonburg fairgrounds.
At the same time, many fair traditional events are back in 2014 including the popular Baby and Pet Shows on Saturday, August 16. Norfolk 4-H shows also return on the Saturday. For a full list of shows, categories – there are 23 pet categories! – and classes, see the fair's official anniversary booklet, 160 Reasons to Celebrate, available at the fair office (open 7-9 p.m. daily until the fair opens).
Thursday's official opening ceremonies begin on the 14th at 6 p.m. followed by the crowning of the 2014-15 fair ambassadors at 6:30 p.m.
Even before Thursday's opening day, much is happening. Preliminary judging for the ambassador is Monday, August 11. The homecraft section will accept exhibits for judging (except flowers and vegetables) on Tuesday, August 12 from 5-8 p.m. More homecraft exhibits are brought in Wednesday, August 13 from 8-11 a.m., followed by judging at 1 p.m. Flowers, vegetables, 4-H entries, and poultry begin to arrive Wednesday 5-8 p.m. and judging of poultry and waterfowl begins Thursday morning with flowers, 4-H, and vegetables in the afternoon.
AUGUST 14
Tillsonburg fair's new midway and rides, operated by Campbell Amusements, open Thursday at 4 p.m. along with all the fair buildings. Campbell's, familiar at fairs in Aylmer, Woodstock and Barrie, also do the CNE. A new selection of rides can be expected in Tillsonburg.
"Friday we left open because we want to concentrate on the midway," said Tillsonburg Fair president Michelle Babcock.
"Saturday is our Kid's Free Fun Day. We've got some games that fairboard members built that will be set up by the office. Kids can play them for free and they get a ribbon afterward. Everyone gets a prize, from a stuffie to... who knows what. I've got a lot of donations from the public for prizes."
Hands On Exotics will be at the fair Friday through Sunday, said Babcock, with a kangaroo, lemur and small furry critters.
"We're working on getting RE/MAX to bring in their hot air balloon. It's a possibility. And we're working on getting a military display – we're still working on that."
EMS, Fire Service and Rescue, and the OPP Roll-Over car return in 2014.
"And we have something new and cool coming in – a Texting Driving Simulator. We're quite excited to bring that in to show people what it's like when you're texting and driving. Hopefully it opens some eyes to help put a stop to that."
They're also bringing in the fair's first-ever Jeep Show.
"It's small, so far, but maybe we can build on it.
"Tractors, too. We're looking for farm tractors so we can bring in the hardest working, roughest toughest tractor. So we'll have a display of old and new tractors."
On Sunday, they are planning a pizza eating contest, which replaces last year's ice cream eating contest.
"Our demolition derby is Sunday at 3 p.m.," said Babcock, noting the earlier start time.
There have also been physical changes to the fairgrounds. The grandstand was taken down in the spring, buildings were painted, drywall installed... but the majority of the fairboard's money this year has gone into entertainment and making the 160th fair one of the biggest and best ever.
Headlining Saturday night's entertainment is Canadian country music star Aaron Pritchett, who will be on stage inside the Kinsmen Memorial Arena at 8:45 p.m., following Amy Churm, the opening act, at 8 p.m. Contact the fair office at 519-842-5964 for ticket prices and details.
"Or contact myself for concert tickets at 688-9559," said Babcock, who is selling them at Metro on Broadway, and at The Town Centre mall.
"We're really working on it, we really want to bring the fair around," Babcock concluded, proud of the star-level entertainment offered on Saturday, Aug. 16.
REDUCED ADMISSION
"Admission prices have dropped," Babcock noted.
Admission to the 2014 Tillsonburg Fair is free to children under the age of five, "and everyone else is $5."