Brome Fair takes Quebecers back to their rural roots
Last weekend featured Montreal’s first-ever “urban rodeo.” This weekend, it’s the real thing.
The 161st annual Brome County Fair takes place in the Eastern Townships village of Brome Sept. 1 to 4.
The annual Labour Day weekend event is the largest rural fair in the province. It features livestock, home-baked goods and country music in the tiny community about 105 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
Events include goat, sheep, cow, and vegetable-growing competitions.
There are also midway rides and carnival games, tractor pulls, horse racing, magic shows, barn dances and a petting zoo.
As is always the case at the fair, homemade jams, cookies, pies and other locally made products are available.
The fair, which was founded in 1856, is organized by the Brome County Agricultural Society. The event will celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary with a new wildflower exhibit and special horticultural classes for children.
Fair manager Guylaine Tetreault said while every year is special, the 2017 edition features a quilt-making competition. About 40 quilts with themes celebrating Canada will be on display.
“Our fair is … older than Canada and we’ve brought back some of the older traditions,” Tetreault said.
For instance, this year judges went to farmers’ fields to evaluate the vegetables, a practice that was common in the past.
Local band the Bounty Hunters will take the stage Friday night for the barn dance, and on Saturday, award-nominated Canadian band Cold Creek County headlines.
The tractor pull is on Saturday night and if you are a fan of horse racing, plan to be at the fair on Monday afternoon.
Tickets for the fair are available online at www.bromefair.com or at the gate. A four-day pass for one person (adult or child) is $40.
The price includes parking and midway rides. Children under 3 are admitted free. A day pass for adults or children costs $15 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is special $10 rate for children and seniors on Friday. On Monday only a day pass is $12.
The fair grounds are located at 345 Chemin Stagecoach in Brome. Take Autoroute 10 east from Montreal to Exit 74.
Take Route 241 south and turn left on Route 104. Continue until the intersection with Route 215 and turn right to the village of Brome. Follow directions to the Brome Fairgrounds.
The fair is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. and on Monday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. For information, visit www.bromefair.com.