The Millbrook Agricultural Fair has a long history, with records indicating that local fairs were held as early as the 1830’s.
Based on a 1949 document requesting recognition for that annual fair to be recognized as their centenary event, the board determined that 1849 was year of their first official fair, making this year their 175th anniversary. What was initially a fall event was switched to spring in 1942 and since then the Fair has taken place in early June, bringing people from urban and rural communities where they share the agricultural heritage of the area in an educational and entertaining weekend of events. These two objectives are represented in the official logo which features a pig symbolizing the agricultural aspect of the fair along with a clown which represents the entertainment.
Events kick off on Thursday June 11th with educational exhibits running from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm throughout the fairgrounds located on Frederick St. in Millbrook, and continue to Sunday June 14th. Exhibits and activities begin at 5pmon Thursday with the opening of the Petting Zoo, Trackside Lounge and midway concessions. The official opening of the Fair begins at 6:45 with opening remarks and a special flyover performed by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds! Line Dancing in the Beer Tent and the first motor event begin at 7pm with Impact Motorsports Demo Cross Racing.
Exhibits and concession stands open at 3pm on Friday, with opening remarks and the introduction of the Millbrook Fair Ambassadors at 6: 45 followed by the Truck and Tractor Pulls. The Beer Barn opens at 9 pm with entertainment by AMBUSH beginning at 10 pm.
A full day of events is scheduled for Saturday, beginning with judging for the Rabbit Show at 9:30 followed by the Beef Cattle Show in the cattle ring starting at noon. The horseshow arrives at the cattle ring at noon. The Fair Parade leaves the area in front of Needlers’ Mill at noon, featuring a float with more than a dozen former Fair Ambassadors who are returning for a reunion organized by the Fair Board and will help hand out prizes to winning float entries.
The afternoon events continue with the Antique Tractor Pull, free horse-drawn wagon rides provided by Highview farms, a Past Fair Ambassador Reunion and High Tea at1pm. The motor works begin at 4pm with Grass Hoggs Lawn Tractor Races, followed up by the Truck and Tractor Pulls at 7pm. At these popular events, visitors enjoy the noisy com-petition and displays of friendly rivalry between big powerful rigs and their drivers while taking advantage of the refreshments on offer at the Trackside Lounge. After the pulls, the energy will continue to rise in the Beer Barn where rising as local artist Steve Waters and his band begin rocking the stage with their signature sound.
On Sunday the horses and their handlers take centre stage at in the Horse Ring at 10 am, followed by a new event to celebrate history, called the Heritage Games where kids from5 to 13 are invited to compete in some old-fashioned competitions like sack races. Three lucky participants will take home a new bicycle provided by Cavan Monaghan Township. Don’t forget to check out the homecraft displays and perhaps pick up one of the entries at the Sunday afternoon bake auction. The events wind up with the ever popular demolition derby on Sunday afternoon where crashes are the whole point. Things are going to get loud!
Thank you to all the volunteers whose months of work allow the community to enjoy the Fair tradition. For more details, visit www.millbrookfair.ca.
See you there!