History galore at the Bedford Fair
But getting there is an education too
Aunique event and a historical first the 190th Missisquoi County Exhibition this week will bring the color and atmosphere of well recorded battles by Canadian forces, namely the 3rd Squadron, E Troop in a battle re-enactment portraying the strength and courage of early Canadians as they protected Lower Canada’s borders from invasion by American forces.
The original squadron was mandated to guard roadways and the southern border of Montreal and Quebec City. They saw action in many battle campaigns in this region, winning many battle honours for the regiment. Third Squadron stables are located, even today, in Saint Sebastien, in the administrative area of Monteregie, close to the municipality of Lacolle. This was an original posting in a location memorialized because of its situation, split down the middle by the Lacolle River where history records that Samuel de Champlain stopped for a meal before continuing southward, up the Richelieu River to the lake which now bears his name. Saint Sebastien is within quick reaction time to Fort Lennox, Lacolle Block House, the town of Lacolle and Fort Chambly. With their colourful costumes, antique muskets and hours of training and manoeuvres under their belt, this historical re-enactment, scheduled for Thursday evening at 7 p.m. promises to be an event to remember.
Travelling to this area where granite stone houses abound, vineyards offer tours and sampling along the way, orchards beckon with signs inviting passersby to stop in, take a tour and pick their own bushel of apples, or give in to a winery visit, sleep at a B & B in what is most often a historic house where memorabilia and artifacts dating back to the 1700s are often displayed or, with an early start toward the fair, still have time to enjoy a variety of activities and, if the spirit moves one, excellent bands offering both golden oldies in the rock music world or the latest hits.
Travellers from Cowansville will find at least a half dozen roadside stands offering freshly picked sweet corn and garden vegetables on their way to the Dunham turn.
Turning right at Dunham, the rolling hillsides reveal row on row of apple trees, some already harvested, others with branches bending under the weight of this year’s crop. Passing vineyards on both sides of this scenic highway, rounding a final curve takes one onto the flat land that is the beginning of the Montreal Plain where thousands of acres of corn, canola and soya stretch to the horizon, reminding travellers this is the beginning of cash-crop country where one large field of corn might be used in the preparation of whiskey or ethanol or simply supply ingredients for food products requiring corn starch, syrup or specific sweeteners in food processing. Seeing these fields will answer the fair visitor’s questions about the huge cropping machinery on display
which now is almost explanatory given the advance view of flatlands and the gigantic crops they produce.
Fair organizers are especially proud this year of an improved mini-farm where youngsters can get a hands-on experience, the choice of a short trail ride on horseback for a nominal sum, special mini-train tours of stables and poultry house with a well-informed guide, conferences on poultry and dairy animals and the return of horse pulling, lawn tractor races and of course, the ever-popular demolition derby. Also on the ani- mal exhibit program this year is a special contingent from the Dominic Sansouci farm. “I had hoped to have regular sheep classes, but things just didn’t work out for the sheep breeders in the area,” Sansouci said late last week. But, always a believer in the importance of offering a variety of animal exhibits at a county fair, this breeder of Suffolk and Oxford sheep is bringing several animals to make up an exhibit in conjunction with the spinning demonstrations planned in the craft center.
“We hope to be better organized and scheduled for next year but at least this year, we’ll have a few real examples of these breeds to introduce to fair visitors,” Sansouci said reassuringly.
Admission is $13 for an adult with special rates for accompanied children on Friday, Kiddies’ Day.