Will our Eastern Townships county fairs rebound?

Fairs, like just about any other social or community event that locals usually look forward to are cancelled ‘til next year, setting organizers back on their heels.

A county fair isn’t just a date on the calendar. In many cases, as soon as the gates close on the last evening, the planning gets started for the following year’s fair. An incredible amount of hard work and preparation goes into each event. Organizers have no time to rest on their laurels.

County fairs and exhibitions have, for the most part, chalked up successes nearly two hundred years, with Mississquoi County holding the longest record with over 180 non-stop exhibitions. Oh yes, many smaller fairs have fallen by the wayside, but here in the

Townships local fairs hold a solid reputation of spotlighting production of all kinds including animal, food and crafts. Fairs are also a meeting place for up to four generations whose family tradition has been centered on the annual sociability of the county fair.

So far, comments from presidents and directors The Record has spoken with recently are positive.

In this region where visitors can find a wide variety of information and exhibits of local food production, projects scheduled for maintenance and upgrades will go on when the weather finally begins to cooperate. Buildings and grounds ‘to do’ lists will get a special dose of attention as fair boards prepare to get back to even better events next year.

Ayer’s Cliff and Cookshire Fairs were scheduled to celebrate their 175th anniversary this year. The delay will provide them ample time to prepare an even better program of celebration for next year. Mississquoi (Bedford) will still head up the list as the oldest non-stop exhibition in Quebec. Brome and Richmond will celebrate both this year’s 164th and next year’s 165th edition. Exhibitors will have time to pamper their ‘show’ herd, complete their arts and crafts projects, groom poultry, rabbits, sheep and goats, put a special shine on heavy and light horse harnesses and equipment. Midways just might come up with new and exciting rides, games and carnival food, and kiosks will likely have some new and unusual trinkets and treasures to offer.

The morale is positive among county fair organizers, exhibitors and future visitors are already making plans to bring families and friends to a summer of ‘Fair’ revivals next year.

On the downside, perhaps one or two of the six county fairs in this region will struggle to keep afloat. But given the record of longevity county fairs have, the outlook is good.

For county fairs where agriculture, information and entertainment combine for a unique experience other summer events don’t offer, this year’s setback will only strengthen determination.