Wainfleet gearing up for annual fall fair
Fall is fast approaching, and with it, the promise of celebrating the harvest with fall fairs — among them, the annual Wainfleet Fall Fair.
Wainfleet Agricultural Society has hosted the fair for more than 50 years, after initiating the annual affair in 1967 as a centennial project. Ever since, it has served as a gathering for Wainfleet’s residents to catch up and share their talents with one another.
Although the fair has eschewed ever having a midway it has always focused on maintaining its small-town appeal, said agricultural society president Ted Augustine.
For many attendees, there’s a good chance they will recognize a lot of the names on the exhibits set up in the arena over the fair weekend, taking place Thursday to Saturday.
“We try and keep it local,” said Augustine, explaining many people come out to catch up with their neighbours over the weekend and take in the fair’s musical and mechanical entertainment.
As in years past, the fair will start with a parade to the fair grounds at Wainfleet Arena, starting from St. Elizabeth Catholic School at 6 p.m. on the Thursday, followed by the annual antique tractor pull and a performance from the Niagara Olde Tyme Fiddlers and fireworks.
On Friday the fair will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with entertainment including Holy Hand Puppets, Big John T-Bone Little, Dakata Prince and Stonewall. Friday will also feature the Niagara Antique Power Association kiddies ride, Fluffy the
Clown, penny sale, Project Ploughshares button making, Shriner’s balloon animals, Captain Leonard’s Military Band, modified tractor pull, Holy Hands Puppets, 4-H rabbit judging competition, Niagara Military Vehicle Association display and more.
On Saturday, the grounds will again be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with musical entertainment including the Wainfleet Idol Preliminary Round, Music Depot students, the Wainfleet Idol Finals, Mary Lou Minor, Sideroad 3, the P.K. Hummingbird Steel Orchestra, the Second Hand News and the Music Depot Performing Band.
Saturday will see a host of other activities, including a fair favourite, the demolition derby, at 6 p.m., alongside a horse show, baby show, corn-eating contest, pancake breakfast, horse show, the Iron Farmer competition, pumpkin carving, lawn tractor pull and more.
“Saturday night is the big draw,” he said, before acknowledging the ever-present need for volunteers.
“We always need volunteers,” said Augustine, explaining the fair is entirely volunteer-driven.
For more information, visit sites.google.com/site/wainfleetfallfair/.