Fairs Celebrate Milestones

Jeff Green | Aug 23, 2012

by Jeff Green and the Parham Agricultural Society

1883 and 1893.

Those are the years when the Maberly and Parham fairs were held for the first time.

It would be an understatement to say the world has changed over that time. In the early years electricity was still a novelty, and aside from the railroad the only mode of transportation was horsepower.

With all the changes that have taken place over the years, the horse shows at both fairs and the horse pull at the Parham Fair remain as events that harken back to the way of life in both communities in the 19th Century.

Other reminders of the past include the baking, growing, and textile displays and contests that are still hotly contested to this day at the fairs.

While the Parham Fair has modernized to include such popular events as lawn mower races, a demolition derby, and other events, the feel of the small town fair – the food, the smells, the sight of young students reuniting after a summer apart in anticipation of the first day of school, hasn’t changed that much in all that time.

The Parham Fair has its roots in Agriculture and its focus is still on highlighting agriculture. Friday night Aug 24 features the ever popular Horse Pull, with local favorite, Bill Lee, an annual participant. Come see the teams as they pull the stoneboat to become the Champion Team of the Night. Saturday, in the morning, there is a Cattle Show, with local 4-H clubs, and Poultry and Horse Shows all day. Have you seen the Dolly Pardon run yet? Watch for it Saturday afternoon in the games in the horse ring. In the Palace, there are agricultural exhibits along with crafts, children’s exhibits, vegetables and baking. You could spend hours in there. New this year, the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl. Youth between 7-9 and 10-12 may sign up for the contest on Friday at 6:45pm. There is still time to sign up for the Parham Idol Contest on Saturday August 25, open to ages 16 and under. To register, contact Debra Smith at 613-279-2116 ext 212. Come for the entertainment, food and midway. A good time is sure to be had by all for just $5\day; weekend passes $12.

The Maberly Fair is a tiny perfect one-day fair that starts with a parade and ends with a community supper. This year the fair has a scarecrow theme, featuring a great pumpkin garden of scarecrows. The scarecrows will feature in the parade before landing in the garden, where they will be judged and prizes will be awarded. In addition to the horse show and agricultural exhibits (there are 29 competitive categories this year with prizes in each one) the popular zucchini races and cow-pie madness events are back as is the Carleton Place community band and other entertainers as well.

In honour of the 130th Maberly Fair and the 120th Parham Fair let’s all leave our i-pads at home and our cell phones in the glove box of our cars and let the present and past merge as we indulge in the glory that is a community fair in late August.

Aloha Tweed – 2nd annual Elvis Festival by Jeff Green

The Tweed Elvis Festival, which was started as a way for the village of Tweed to turn a corner after the conviction of Russell Williams, has done that and much more, giving the town of Tweed a destination event that captures the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

And all that has happened in about 15 months.

The second annual festival, which celebrates the image of Elvis from the Blue Hawaii era, will feature strong amateur, professional and youth Elvis Tribute contests, as will a string of other events from Friday afternoon, (August 24) through to Sunday afternoon (August 26)

Dallas Arney, the pride of Addington Highlands, will kick things off at the Tweed Fairgrounds at 5 pm on Friday, performing the American and Canadian anthems and more (not in Elvis costume – as far as we know) Round 1 of the Elvis Tribute contest will follow at 6pm.

Other events on Friday night include a meet and greet at the Tweedsmuir tavern and Midnight with Elvis, featuring a performance by last year’s champion Matt Dowsett, fresh from competing in Memphis, for a $10 cover charge.

On Saturday there will be a street sale, Art in the Park, and a pancake breakfast in addition to the events at festival central in the Fairgrounds.

Round 2 of the main competition will take place in the late morning, followed by the youth competition and other events. Later in the afternoon (4:45) the semi-finals will get underway, followed by a showcase at 8 pm, as well as a rock’n roll dance at the Tweed Curling Club.

On Sunday, in addition to another pancake breakfast and a classic car parade with Elvis through the streets of Tweed, there will be a gospel show at 11 am at the fairgrounds. The Grand Finals in the tribute competition will start at 1pm and the award winners will be announced at 3pm, followed by the closing ceremonies.

Tickets are $55 for a weekend pass and $25 per day (HST included). They are available at the gate, in advance at locations in Tweed, at the fruit and vegetable stand in Northbrook and at the Junction restaurant in Sharbot Lake. For information, go to Tweedelvisfestival.ca