Terry McNamee
Special to the Beaver
Whether visitors come for the quiet beauty of the floral displays, the excitement of the midway rides or the heart-stopping sound of teams of heavy horses circling the show ring, the 188th edition of the Napanee Fair is sure to have something every visitor will enjoy.
Running this Friday through Monday, the fair is the culmination of an entire year of planning by the Lennox Agricultural Society.
Agricultural Society president Leonard Austin said there are some new additions this year.
“New this year, we will be having a Princess come for entertainment for the children on Sunday,” Austin said. “Also Sunday there will be an emergency vehicle there for the children to get up close and check out. Great live music will be happening Saturday and Sunday.”
That entertainment includes Stereo Nights, Solomon Woodland and Celtic Kitchen Party on Saturday and Rock Haven on Sunday evening.
Entries will be accepted in homecraft and 4H divisions on Thursday, Aug. 1. Exhibitors (other than 4H, who are not charged) must pay an $8 fee to compete, which entitles them to admission all three days. However, there is a $1 parking fee each day for exhibitors. There are many classes offered for everything from agricultural crops such as hay, vegetables, grain and seeds to home canning, pickling and baking to photography, needlework, quilting, Christmas decorations, painting and other artwork, flowers and much more. There are many classes for junior exhibitors.
There are also plenty of livestock shows at this year’s fair. Friday features rabbits and cavies, with Saturday including an open horse and pony show, 4H goat, 4H dairy and beef calf shows, a 4H sheep show and a poultry show. On Sunday, there will be a Miniature Horse show, a draft horse show, light and heavy harness classes for horses, beef cattle judging, goat judging and a 4H swine competition. And don’t forget to check out the draft horse and draft pony weight pulls.
For those who like mechanized power, come for the truck and tractor pulls, lawn mower races and, of course, the ever-popular demolition derby which is the final event of the fair on Monday afternoon. Other events include the Napanee Fair Has Talent Show, a tea garden, a beer garden, bingo and the Baby Show. Of course, don’t forget the midway, presented this year by World’s Finest Shows, food booths to keep fuelled up for the whole fair and plenty of vendors selling their wares.
For a full list of entry requirements for all categories and a full schedule of events for each day, go to www.napaneefair.ca.
Admission is $8 per day per person or $20 for a weekend pass, and parking is $1 per day. Children age 10 years and younger are admitted free.