Christmas in August at Vankleek Hill Fair
Better not shout, better not cry, better not pout, and here’s the reason why. Santa Claus is coming to the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Fair next month.
The four-day annual event features “Christmas in August” as the theme, and Father Christmas himself will make a special appearance as part of the Thursday evening parade during the July 18 opening ceremonies for the fair. Bev Newton, president of the Vankleek Hill Agricultural Society, observed that this year’s theme for the 172nd edition of the fair seemed like a natural idea when the fair committee got together earlier in the year to start planning the event.
“For years we’ve been hearing people saying ‘Coming here for the fair is like coming home for Christmas,’” Newton said. “It’s a place, and a time, for people to meet and renew acquaintances, and make new friends.”
In the 21st century, the county farm fair faces all sorts of competition for attention, from big city concerts to all sorts of sports events, both on the field and on cable and satellite TV channels. Then there are social media sites, online games, YouTube “stars” and Netflix movie schedules.
Newton noted that gate attendance during the VKH Fair’s four-day opening in August averages these days between 15,000 to 20,000 visitors. Credit for those spectator numbers, which many regional music festivals or sports clubs would envy, goes to an organizing committee open to new ideas, both exciting and relevant, while remaining true to the fair’s roots in agriculture, and a sizable workforce of volunteers to make it all happen.
“The fair would never be a big success without the volunteer force,” said Newton, adding that the committee can count on between 125 to 150 volunteers to deal with both the setting up event venues and handling the day-to-day support needs while the fair is open.
Another key to success, Newton observed, is the variety of exhibits and attractions for the fairgoer. Traditional livestock and produce displays share exhibition time and space with carnival midway rides, live music every day, beach volleyball matches, and special events like the traditional demolition derby and, unique to the VKH Fair, a combine derby which sees a half dozen or more “retired” old combines, minus their reapers, butt heads against each other inside the squared circle.
Newton chuckled as he recalled the origin of the combine derby, which has proven a crowdpleaser for the past few years.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “It’s crazy. People were intrigued. Last year one ended up tipped over on its side.”
The main thing, he observed, is that the fair remains a family-friendly community event.
“We put on something for everybody. There is something for the young and the old, and for the young at heart. There is always, always lots of things for the kids.”
Keeping the young people interested also means being cyber savvy. Newton observed that the fair committee is working on an arrangement to have wi-fi Internet access available on the fairgrounds for anyone who wants to post selfies on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media accounts. Complementing the present website and social media presence for the fair, committee has authorized creation of a VKH Fair app available online through Google or the App Store for visitors to both keep up-to-date on events through their iPhones.
“You have to move with the times to compete,” said Newton. “We needed a way to keep connected with people, and social media is a great way to advertise.”
The 172nd Vankleek Hill Agricultural Fair runs from Aug. 18 to 21 at the Vankleek Hill Fairgrounds at the end of Main Street. Schedules and details on events available at www.vankleekhillfair.ca.