By Adam Prudhomme
Staff Reporter
August’s rapid approach means only one thing in these parts: the 186th edition of the Napanee Fair is just around the corner.
This year’s event, which runs Aug. 4-7, will include all the tried and tested crowd favourites plus some new features, including a concert featuring a pair of rising country stars.
Jason Benoit will headline the Aug. 6 show with special guest Craig Curtis. Known for hits such as ‘Gone Long Gone’ and ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Newfoundland’s Benoit has charted as high as seventh on the Billboard Canada Country charts with his debut CD.
Curtis, who grew up in Athens, Ont., moved to Nashville shortly after high school to pursue his country music dream. His style draws upon influence from George Jones, Merle Haggard and George Strait.
The concert will be unique to the fair in that it’ll be held inside the old arena on York Street and will be an all ages licensed event. Admission will require a separate ticket from the regular fair admission.
“We wanted to try something a bit newer and maybe reach out to a bigger crowd and have some more recognizable music to more members of the community,” said Krissy Martin, secretary-treasurer for the Napanee Fair.
She says they’re trying to attract the age group that often gets overlooked in agricultural fairs.
“We wanted to try something different,” said Martin. “I think the big thing with these types of events, you always have to try something new to keep it different and interesting and keep people wanting to come back.”
Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Kids six to 12 are $10 while anyone under five is free. Tickets are available now at Marie’s Place, the Lennox and Addington Agricultural Society office or by calling 613-354-5264.
This year’s fair will also celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, with plenty of Canadian-themed celebrations throughout the fairgrounds. A part of Napanee and Deseronto’s history will also be on display in the palace as the old Camp Rathbun hanger will be decked out with displays that depict the history of the First World War training facility.
For the whole family there will be some ‘Cool Magic’, with a live magician performing at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday in the palace.
A large section of a fair building will be home to the Picton Model Railroaders, which will be setting up a large model train display.
As well as the new features the always popular attractions will be part of the lineup which includes the midway, tractor pull, 4-H livestock judging, horse show, petting zoo and demolition derby.
“Right from the baby show to the mini king and queen to all the junior entries they can do in the fair and all the things for adults, there’s something for everyone,” said Napanee Fair president Carol McKinley.
For those that want to be a part of the fair, there are plenty of opportunities to take part as an exhibitor in categories such as crafts, canning, photography, vegetable growing and more.
“For $8 they can become an exhibitor at the fair,” said McKinley. “That $8 and that pass gets them in and out at the gate all weekend. What a way to see all four days and then you make back a little money with some prize money. I don’t think people utilize that enough.”
Details on how to register as well as a full list of the exhibits is available online at www.NapaneeFair.ca.
Admission for the fair is $8 per day or $20 for a weekend pass.