It's Fair time in August

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The 165th Tillsonburg Tri-County Fair has loaded up with fun, family activities, attractions and entertainment for the weekend of August 16-18th.

Yes, the 2019 Fair back to it s traditional August dates after two years of necessary moves to accommodate midway ride companies.

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“I want to thank all of our volunteers that continue to dedicate their time to the fair,” said Rosemary Dean, Tillsonburg Fair president, “and if you see a volunteer or fairboard member, please thank them.

“We would also like to thank all of our sponsors and people who have donated to the fair this year and to Tillsonburg Town Council for their continuous support of our fair. And thank you to Rick Cox (Director of Recreation, Culture and Parks) for helping to organize, set up and continuing to work with us to make the fair successful as changes continue at Memorial Park.”

New this year, Magical Midway will be providing midway rides and games, open from 4-9 Friday, 11-11 Saturday and 11-6 Sunday during the fair.
“They have told us a couple of the rides that are coming, so we have the Scrambler coming, the Salt & Pepper, the big slide, and we know there’s a roller coaster coming, and the Avenger Fun House,” said Dean. “There is 10 in total, those are the one’s we know so far.”

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All-day midway ride passes are being sold in advance for $20. Or purchase an all-day midway pass at the fair for $35.

“You save $15 if you buy them in advance and they are available at the fairboard office, Advanced Automotive, Trinkets Gift Shoppe, Sammy Krenshaw’s and Chrissy’s Corner Store.”

Fortunate to find a midway this summer, the Tillsonburg fairboard was thrilled to hear from Magical Midway.

“That worked out for us beautifully – they had that weekend open and they approached us,” said Dean.

“We heard from the community – we do listen to them – and they wanted the fair in August. So we did what we could and it just happened to work out for us.”

The fairboard signed a three-year contract with Magical Midway, and different rides will be available next year as they rotate some rides (including a Ferris Wheel).

There will be 52 vendors setting up at the fair this year, 34 located inside the Kinsmen Memorial Arena, and 14 outdoors – including Bre’s Fresh Market – along with four food vendors.

“Our vendors have donated gift baskets, so we’re doing daily draws. When you come in through the gates you’ll get a ticket that you can enter in the daily draws.”

COMICON

Comicon, a popular addition to the fair in the last two years, will be Saturday, August 17th in the arena.

“We want that space to be full in there this year,” said Dean.

Included in the Saturday, August 17th Comicon is a Cosplay Contest, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., where participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character from anime, comic books, films and video games.

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“We’re doing a contest for best Cosplay,” said Dean. “We have 200 prizes that have already been donated for that event, plus up to $500 in ‘vendor dollars.’ So you can spend that with any vendor, depending what you win.”

On Saturday and Sunday there will be limited FREE comic book giveaways, sponsored in part by MyMotors.ca Tillsonburg, Go! Glass & Accessories, The Co-operators (C.L. Smith Insurance Group Inc.).

“You’ll get a coupon when you come in through the gate and you go into the arena to get those. We have at least 1,500 comic books, so we’ll split that between the two days. It’s a variety of comic books. The list is on our Facebook page.”

TRI-COUNTY HAS TALENT SHOW

A new event at this year’s fair is the 2019 Tri-County Has Talent show on Saturday, August 17, presented by The Town of Tillsonburg Concert Series in association with Carruthers Entertainment.

Auditions were held Saturday, July 27, but it was announced on Monday that “it’s not too late to enter.”

“They are still looking for contestants,” Dean nodded.

The talent show will be at the Kinsmen Bandshell, Memorial Park from 8-11 p.m., depending how many entries there are. A total of $3,000 in cash prizes are on the line, including $1,500 for first place.

Applications (available at www.tillsonburg.ca/talent or at the Tillsonburg Fairboard office, weekdays 7-9 p.m.) can be submitted in person at the Tillsonburg Community Centre or by email to info.carruthersentertainment@gmail.com (email them for more information).

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Performance acts encouraged to enter include actors, comedians, dancers, jugglers, magicians, martial artists, singers (solo and groups), and animal acts.

Opening ceremonies for this year’s fair will be Friday, August 16, at 6 p.m. followed by crowning of the Ambassador, Junior Ambassador (12-16) and Mini King and Queen.

“I think we have three applications for senior ambassador this year,” said Dean.

Also at 6 p.m. Friday is the Mini Tractor Pull – this year they will be pulling in a different direction toward the Dave Johnson Memorial Dog Park.

There will be pony rides located at the south area of the fairgrounds and a petting zoo near the cattle barn.

“We’re going to have a Wet and Wild Play Zone for the children, weather permitting,” Dean smiled. “It’s August, it’s hot, and people want somewhere to cool down.”

The Homecraft Section will feature homecrafts, quilts, baking, photography, etc.

Sunday’s main attraction is the annual Demolition Derby at 2 p.m. Kids on Power Wheels will be riding just before the derby begins.

“The demolition derby will be in a new area,” Dean noted. “It will be between the J.L. Scott McLean Outdoor Recreation Pad and the cattle barn.”

BABY SHOW

The annual Baby Show is Saturday, August 17 inside the Tillsonburg Community Centre Lions Den. The theme this year is ‘Pick of the Crop.’

Open to newborns up to six months, six months to 11 months and 12 months to 18 months. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the baby show starts at 10 a.m. There is no registration fee, sign up at least 15 minutes before your child’s age division begins judging. Call the Tillsonburg fairboard office 519-842-5964 for more details.

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“We do it in the Lions Den because if it’s too hot we don’t want the babies outside.”

There is a Pet Show at 11 a.m. located near the fairboard office, and the 4H Showmanship begins at 11 a.m.

Saturday’s activities include an Ice Cream Eating Contest at 2 p.m., sponsored by Shaw’s Ice Cream, also near the fairboard office.

BALL HOCKEY

Another new event this year at the fair – if they get enough teams – is a Ball Hockey Tournament at the J.L. Scott McLean Outdoor Recreation Pad on Saturday, August 17.

“We’re hoping to get four teams out,” said Dean.

It’s an open tournament, open to any ages. There is a $250 registration fee per team (which works out to $25 per person for 10 person team).

“It’s a fundraiser for the fair and the Tillsonburg Helping Hand Food Bank, the proceeds – after jerseys and trophies are paid for – will be split between the fair and the food bank.”

For more information on this year’s fair, and all event times, visit the website at mytillsonburgfair.ca or Facebook (Tillsonburg Fair Tri or Tillsonburg Fair).

cabbott@postmedia.com