Photo Karen Graham.
Children’s Day at the 168th Millbrook Fair comes early this year thanks to a Friday PA day, so doors open at 9:30 on Thursday June 8th for students in grades 1 through 3 who will be ushered through a series of stations featuring lessons about agriculture.
Gates open for general admission at 3pm and the midway opens at 4 pm. The Fair Ambassador is introduced at 6:45, just prior to the 7 pm start to the first of three truck and tractor pull events.
On Friday, the midway is offering a flat rate ride pass of $15 which provides access to all midway rides from the 11 am opening until 2pm, to give students a chance to get their fill of rides before the 4pm opening of the rest of the fairgrounds. The official Opening of the fair takes place at 6:45 that evening at the track before it gets loud with the second truck and tractor pull event. Friday at the Beer Barn award-winning singer-songwriter Dean James will provide lively country entertainment.
The horse and cattle events begin on Saturday, beginning with the Ontario Xtreme Cowboy event which starts at 9 am, where competitors work through a series of trail- and farm-based obstacles on their horses demonstrating both horsemanship and speed. At 10 am the Cattle Show begins, featuring exhibitors young and old leading their disciplined animals through the ring. Take a turn at judging in the Jackpot class where audience members can chose their own winners and see if their selection matches that of the professional judge. After the parade arrives, there will be free wagon rides around the fairgrounds provided by Earl Cochrane’s team of horses until 4pm. Other animal features include the Poultry show which is open all weekend, as well as the Petting Zoo where young visitors can ride a pony and the Rabbit show runs all day Sunday.
Photo Karen Graham.
Photo Karen Graham.
At the track, Antique Tractors compete in the pull on Saturday afternoon and that evening is the final truck and tractor pull. In the Beer Barn Jesse Slack will showcase his unique take on country music.
Sunday events begin with the Gymkhana Horse competition where riders will demonstrate their skills through a series of obstacles beginning at 9:30. Other Sunday events include the Rabbit Show, the Baking Competition Auction, the 4×4 Tough Truck competition followed by the ever popular Demolition Derby which begins at 1:30.
There are plenty of opportunities for young and old to get involved in the Fair activities. In addition to the parade, there are craft and baking competitions and school exhibits. Youngsters can submit handmade posters promoting the Fair or photographs of animals, sports or friends to win prizes as well as bragging rights. Full details are provided in the Millbrook Fair paper or at www.millbrookfair.ca. KG
