Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Where you might find it quiet during the summer and most of the year, local community centres come alive around this time each year as fall fairs spring up, bringing their sounds, colours, and excitement with them.
You don’t want to hear this, but you’ll find out anyway, fall is approaching. In Middlesex County, that means fall fairs and events. From derbies to rodeos, food markets with local produce to powwows, you don’t need to look far to find them.
In Parkhill last weekend, volunteers provided their annual fair with all things imaginable. From fun rides to fun food, wrestling to snakes (not in the same venue), bumping cars to bubbles, the weekend was well spent. Yes, bubbles flew around to the delight of children. A 100-foot-long camo Boot Camp obstacle course proved a challenge to some, as did the mechanical bull.
Oreo cookie stacking, a mini pedal tractor-pull, games, face painting, and more were available to attendees. Ice had been taken from the arena to provide a cool dry spot for exhibits and presentations.
However, one volunteer stated the fair had shrunk over the past few years as volunteers and money proved a challenge. Moved to August so as not to be in competition with other fairs, numbers were still dropping, they said. On this particular Saturday, you could walk around freely, and without any waiting for a ride.
Other changes include the snowmobile races ended, and the demolition derby moved to Saturday, lack of both money and volunteers being the reason, it seems.
But if you missed this one, Ilderton and Glencoe host large fairs in September. As well, the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 49th Annual Competition Pow Wow occurs August 15 & 16 at 640 Jubilee Road, Muncey.
There is still plenty of summer left, but fall fairs and events have a special, perhaps nostalgic, place in the hearts of those who live in Middlesex County. It’s our way of saying goodbye to the summer and welcoming local produce.
