Maberly_fair

Jeff Green | Aug 17, 2006

Back toHome

Come to the Maberly Fair

by Paul Pospisil

Happy-face clowns, sad clowns, silly clowns and clowns of all description will entertain young and old alike at the 124th Annual Maberly Fair coming up on Saturday August 26 at the Maberly Fairgrounds.

Clowns are the theme for this year’s fair. Look for special clown theme competitions throughout the hall exhibit classes; join the parade dressed up as a clown; and, get in the spirit of clowning and having fun at the fair. The Shriners Klowns will be doing face-painting and handing out balloon animals to the kiddies. Tip the Clown will amuse the kiddies and even the directors and volunteers will be clowning around.

The Maberly Fair has run every year since 1882. It serves as an annual community gathering; pays tribute to the thousands of people who made their living from the land; and perpetuates the original purpose of fairs by encouraging excellence in farm production of food by means of competition.

At this little country fair, you can watch a light or heavy horse show, see poultry and farm animals being judged, wander through an array of fine baked goods and home preserving, honey and maple syrup displays, garden and orchard exhibits and superb examples of homemaker arts and home crafts.

The Light Horse Show starts at 9:00 a.m. Watch young competitors hone their showmanship skills. The 2006 parade departs the Anglican Church in Maberly at 10:15 a.m., marching and dancing its way down County Road #36 to the fairgrounds. Prizes are awarded for the best floats and for the best clown theme.

The afternoon program features the pony pull and horse draw by the Ottawa Valley Horse Drawing Association.

There’s a complete array of heritage and educational demonstrations showing the skills that once were commonplace in rural life. Look for spinning and weaving in the hall exhibits, carving, woodworking and antique farm equipment outdoors. A new outdoor shelter built by volunteers this summer will house some of the displays.

An information booth will promote the 125th Anniversary Fair coming up in 2007. If you wish to contribute or participate in the 125th, drop in to the booth. Some 125th Anniversary souvenir items will be on advance sale. The fair is a family event with activities for all ages. Sack races, three-legged races, the egg toss and other old-time children’s games start at 2:00 p.m. Log sawing and nail driving contests for both men and women provide an exciting display of skill and prowess in the battle of the sexes. Alcohol is not served nor allowed at the fair and there's no midway at the Maberly Fair to gobble up your money. It's a day of old-fashioned fun on a bargain budget.

A snack bar and ice cream booth operate during the day in the renovated Snack Bar annex. A hot and cold buffet meal, catered by the Leatherworks of Carleton Place, is available in the Dining Hall starting at 4:00 pm

Both grounds and buildings are wheelchair accessible, there are indoor toilets with hot and cold running water and an abundance of free parking on the grounds.

The Fairgrounds are located on County Road 36 just south of the South Sherbrooke Fire Hall. The Maberly Agricultural Society maintains the fairgrounds by means of volunteer work parties and community donations. Visitors will find many changes and facilities improvements. Contributions are very welcome. To donate, phone 273-5683. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youth; children 6 years and under are free. For more information on the fair, phone 273-5069 or check our new website at www.maberlyagsociety.ca.

Be sure to come to the Maberly Fair, see the clowns and enjoy a day of wholesome family fun!