Richmond Fair to host second COVID-19 edition
Over the course of the past 16 months, people in Richmond and surrounding areas have had very few opportunities to attend agricultural events due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
From live music and entertainment, truck and tractor pulling, midway rides and games, the demolition derby, and animal judging competitions, people who have established a tradition around attending the annual Richmond Fair will once again be missing out on many of the fair favourites that they used to enjoy prior to the pandemic.
Nevertheless, the Richmond Fair, which is typically held during the second weekend of September, is back again this year with another pandemic-adapted edition, marking 165 years of operation. However, this year, the annual event will be held at an earlier date, on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. Like every year, it will take place at the Richmond Fairgrounds, located at 128 Route 143, in Cleveland.
Although attendees can expect a much different fair from past years, with far fewer attractions and attendees, social distancing, and a mandatory mask protocol, this year’s Richmond Fair is a welcome celebration of the agricultural community’s strength amid the great challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the one-night-only event will include the annual beef barbecue, an antique machinery (and possibly new machinery) exhibition, an antique tractor parade, a few animals on site, and if the weather permits, the night will end with a fireworks finale.
“Admission for the event will be $25 per person, with $20 from each ticket going to the Richmond Agricultural Society, and the remaining $5 from each ticket is expected to be given to the Richmond 4-H Club,” said Avery Perkins, president of the Richmond Fair.
According to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (MSSS), as of July 2, 2021, the limit for outdoor festivals and events in the Eastern Townships increased to a maximum of 5,000 people.
However, “the Richmond Fair is not expecting that large of a turnout this year,” shared Perkins. “Last September, the drive-through version of the Richmond Fair attracted nearly 250 cars, or roughly 1,000 people to the grounds.”
This year, while the expected turnout of the Richmond Fair is uncertain, “the
goal is to have the same number of attendees as last year, and maybe even more,” said Perkins.
Therefore, Perkins and the rest of the Richmond Agricultural Society are looking forward to next year when the annual Richmond Fair can hopefully return to its full glory of the past.
According to the Quebec
government’s COVID-19 regulations, attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance, by Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. Tickets can be purchased online on Richmond Fair’s website at wwwexporichmondfair.com or directly from the administrators.
For more information, contact Maureen Murphy at 819-578-9288.