Packed schedule for Ayer’s Cliff ’s 172nd fair
Thursday afternoon, gates open for the 172nd edition of the Stanstead County Fair and organizers have filled the three-and-a-half-day program with so many things to do and see that visitors should seriously consider a twoday visit.
Light horse classes begin and the midway opens at noon. The first event, a cutest baby contest, begins at 6 p.m., organized and planned so that every contestant is a winner. Last year’s contest was considered a great success. While Country Heat, with Randy Wheeler begins in the recreation center, obstacles are going up for the heavy horse slalom in front of the grandstand. The traditional Bingo gets underway at 8 p.m., and outside, another tradition, the Tugo-war teams get ready to pull their hearts out.
Friday will keep visitors shifting from a seat in the grandstand to one in the bleachers — horse show ringside. The action begins at 1 p.m. with horses saddled up for an equitation class, English or Western style. Then at 1:15 p.m. children lead their favourite heavyweight horses into the ring to show off their prowess with a draft horse that might weigh close to a ton compared to their meagre 40-pound weight. This class is open to children 8 years old or under.
Games and races are the next item on the afternoon program Friday. This is the only Eastern Townships fair that includes foot races and games such as finding a potato in a pile of hay. Also Friday afternoon, the youngsters, both boys and girls, have their own tug of war beginning at 3 p.m. If that’s too much excitement, find your way to the Expo Centre where the Shepherd and Shepherdess competition will begin at 3 p.m. This is much more sedate with sheep on a collar or halter and leash and competitors “dressed to the nines” in garments spun or woven from sheep’s wool. But its back to the track where a demonstration of miniature horses is scheduled at 4:30 p.m.
Friday evening, the extreme cowboy race is on at 6 and continues until 10 p.m. The Cliff Country Dancers take to the stage in the Recreation Centre, and Randy Wheeler and Country Heat are on the big stage in front of the grandstand, both at 6 p.m. At 8, heavy horses and pony hitch classes begin in the ring nearby. The official opening with dignitaries, directors, and invited guests coming out for the president’s speech is an 8:15 happening and at 8:30, Kira Isabella, renowned singer and songwriter, takes over the stage.
By 10 p.m., if country music with a rocky twang is tempting, the band Slightly Haggard begins in the Recreation Centre.
Saturday’s program is chock full of events. Judging in the horse ring begins at 8:30 a.m. with draft horse and pony hitch classes running from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. The Cliff Country Dancers are back in the recreation hall also from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. The tall Clydesdales come out for a special class, and another demonstration of miniature horses is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Saturday is race day with the inauguration of a Hall of Fame for outstanding racehorse drivers the first item on the program. Organizers expect a ten-race program with at least five horses in each race. Pari-mutuel betting booths open just before the first race at 1 p.m. The afternoon is finished off with Gymkhana races — timed events with obstacle races such as barrel racing and pole bending. The Saturday program gurus have planned an evening filled with music. Country Heat is back with Randy Wheeler at 6 until 8 p.m. and then, the highlight of the music program at this year’s fair, La Derniere Chicane, a very popular, lively group performing in French and English, traditional folk music, and well-known favourites. Well known across Quebec and abroad, this will be their first appearance in the Townships and rumour has it they present an evening to remember.
If that’s not enough music for one night, Slightly Haggard will take over late evening in the Recreation Centre.
Sunday, horses of all kinds are the main feature. Combine hitch classes that will bring these giant horses out in hitches that can range from just two, three, four, and up to six, these are classes which always please a county fair audience. But, before the parade starts at 1:30, there’s a Strong Man contest, just like the ones we see on television — well almost like that. Once the parade is over, it’s auction time. The Hatley 4-H Club’s top five bronze turkeys will be front and center on the track and by the time the dairy and beef and whatever other group bands together, the bids sometimes rise well over a thousand dollars for just one bird. All proceeds go to the Children’s Wish Foundation, so one can consider his money well spent. This is an outstanding event which has become a tradition since it’s inception five years ago.
Another bit of interesting news is that $1 from every entry registration will be put into the 175th Anniversary Fund. A committee is already working on plans for this milestone event and organizers for this special fair already have surprises up their sleeve.
But time is running out for this year’s edition of the Ayer’s Cliff Fair. Valerie Crete, with her wistful songs of love won and lost, will quiet things down a bit from 5:30 until time to start the traditional truck pull at 7 p.m.
Many new events and demonstrations are also planned. With entries up to normal or more in poultry, rabbits, aquatic fowl, goats and sheep, visitors will get their exercise making the tour to visit these animals or birds in their pens and cages. Or perhaps finding a seat in the Expo Centre to watch the miniature horse judging, including a masquerade class and single and double hitches Sunday morning could be a quiet time for the busy visitor trying to see everything. Over in the ladies’ department, a grand display of handwork, fanciful art and posters, photography, and demonstrations ongoing of weaving, spinning, crocheting, and knitting are standard fare for the organizers in this interesting department.
In the meantime, folks who love the midway and look forward to being whirled in circles, upside down or not, will be happy to see the giant Ferris wheel set up in the ball park this year. Amusements Spectaculaires will be packed into the space behind the grandstand as usual, and the kiosk committee reports more commercial vendors will be on-site this year. The Ministry of Agriculture project has focused on renovating and upgrading the Kiddie Korner with new interior decorating and fresh new colors making this corner attractive. Here toddlers are always welcome together with a parent or two, and nursing mothers will find a comfortable, quiet corner where they can feel secure with their nursing baby and organized games and handicrafts are always available.
New hand washing stations have been installed and regular use is encouraged, especially after visiting stables or petting animals. Security has been upgraded with first responders on hand as well.
Admission this year is $10 on Thursday, children 6 to 12 $5 Friday — adults $15. Saturday and Sunday — $15 each day with a four-day pass — $40. Children 5 and under are free at all times. Parking on the grounds is free but visitors are encouraged to get an early start to arrive no later than 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The admission includes all Amusements Spectaculaires attractions, shows and grandstand, as well as all taxes. Midway opens at noon Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. Sunday.