Cherish Country and Celebrate Community this weekend at the Vankleek Hill Fair

By Ilish Redmond

It's that time of year again! A time when the community of Vankleek Hill comes together to "cherish country" and "celebrate community" for four days.

The 168th Vankleek Hill Fair begins this Thursday, August 16 and will continue until Sunday, August 19.

The fair will commence with the annual parade which will leave the community centre at 7 p.m. and arrive at the fair's grandstand at 7:30 p.m. The fair marshal will conduct the opening ceremony at 7:45 p.m.

The first event of the evening will begin at 8 p.m. with the Dazzling Darnells Poodle Follies. During this time a mechanical bull will be ready to take on any willing riders who dare to ride near the show barn.

Bring the kids out to watch the big screen movie at 9:30 p.m.

On Friday, August 17 the exhibit hall and artisan displays will open at 9 a.m. Come out and see local talent and displays.

The Heavy Horse Line Classes will begin at 10 a.m. at the Grandstand while the Holstein Show will be held in the south centre ring.

Get the youngsters ready because the midway opens at 11 a.m. A variety of fun-filled attractions and rides will be available to entertain kids throughout the fair weekend.

Also at 11 a.m., Iron Sunset Fore and Design and Lady Blacksmith Henriette Verway will be displaying their talent.

At 12 p.m. the PeeWee Showmanship classes will begin at the south centre ring.

Want to know what sheep look like without their coats on? Visit Ross Creighton at 12 p.m. to see him shearing the wool coats off of sheep.

A delicious, home-cooked dinner will begin at 4 p.m. in the dining hall so bring your appetites!

The annual Horse Pull Competition will being at 7 p.m. at the Grandstand.

The biggest day of the fair is Saturday, August 18 at 8 a.m. with the Western Horse Show at the Horse Ring,

Following the Western Horse show will be the Heavy Horse Hitch classes at 9 a.m. in the Centre Ring.

Open 4-H Dairy Heifer Show will commence at 10 a.m. at the South East Ring.

If you can manage to pull the kids away from the midway, bring them over the Kids Fest at the Green Tent from 12:30 p.m.  to 3 p.m. where there will be fun-filled activities for children of all ages!
Have you ever wanted to see a bird of prey up close? From 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  outside the Green Tent you will be able to see these magnificent birds up close and personal.

More creatures will be on display at 2 p.m. at the Green Tent with Little Ray's reptile Zoo.

The Magic of Steve Gabriel  will take place at 1:30 p.m.  under the Green Tent. Get ready for some mind blowing performances!

Rev up your engines and prepare for mud splatter because, the very popular demolition derby begins at the grandstand at 7 p.m. Come out and watch cars hit and destroy each other, all while cheering on your favorite derby participant.

The final day of the fair will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 19 with the English Horse Show at the Horse Ring.

At 10 a.m. a church service will be held at the Green Tent.

During the service a delicious brunch will be served in the dining hall.

Also at 10 a.m. the Antique Equipment Display with be held at centre ring.

Following the antique display, the Antique Tractor Pull will begin at 11 a.m. at the Grandstand. A variety of tractors will be displayed, showing audience members what tractors looked like in the past, and how much they could pull.

The Fireman's Combat Challenge will take place at 1 p.m. followed by another big screen movie at 1:30 p.m.

For a full list of activities and events, please visit www.vankleekhillfair.ca or come pick up a copy of the Vankleek Hill Fair Book at The Review.