The South River/Machar Agricultural Society Fall Fair had a grand start Friday evening with The Parade of Heroes.
A procession of EMS vehicles followed First Responders marching by foot. They were led by piper Matt Plant and the Fire Chief of Chisholm.
The parade was a welcome addition to the South River/Machar Fall Fair according to the many people lined along Ottawa Street who clapped for the First Responders in the parade.
The parade paid tribute to lives lost and affected by tragedy September 11th, 2001. A short ceremony gave recognition to the efforts and sacrifices of firefighters and first responders at the fairgrounds.
People were encouraged to take selfies with firefighters during the evening for an online awareness.
South River/Machar Agricultural Society president Suzanne Learn was excited for the fair. "It's going to be a great weekend. We've had a crew there last night and all morning today putting up tents, and getting preparations ready. Yet another wonderful crew will be here tomorrow made up of so many community members to help out with the fair."
Learn responded to the troubles the agricultural society has had with the fair being held inside the arena in the last couple of years.
“We have a contract with the village from a trade of property from 1947. Last year they attempted to cover the ice but the way they attempted to cover the ice didn’t work. So we ended up with ice covered with chip board, sheeted ice, puddles and a surface that we weren’t able to use.”
Learn says at the last minute they scrambled to move things to far corners of the building and outside. “It had a huge effect on the Fall Fair.”
Dennis Trinaistich, a local barrister solicitor, has been retained by the local agricultural society to argue a case involving a 1947 lease agreement. Trinaistich is also the main sponsor of the fall fair.
So this year, the arena is not available to the South River/Machar Agricultural Society for the fair but that is not slowing organizers down.
“We have an amazing team of people who are creative, resourceful, hard-working and dedicated. They are working really hard through the logistics.”
After opening ceremonies there was a variety show and hall exhibits.
Saturday’s line-up of events include: a western and a light horse show, heavy horse pull, a parade, lumberjack competitions, horseshoe pitching contest, exhibits in hall, a poultry show, livestock displays, concessions, entertainment, inflatables, and children’s games and activities.
The popular fair attracts between 800 and 1200 visitors to the grounds.
The South River/Machar Fair takes place at the South River Community Centre, at 1A Lincoln Ave, west off of Hwy 124 & Ottawa Ave.
