Fall Fairs in Full Force

I  have made sure to get out and see almost all the fall fairs this year, even if it’s been a quick visit after work one day.  In all honesty, I think I saw more of these other fairs than my own Sutton Fair.  It is hard to get out of the office at the Sutton Fair, so it is nice to wander the other fairs that follow ours, with no agenda in place. 
 
Wherever I go, I see the same camaraderie between the volunteers and directors putting on the show, as well as the gates crews and security that travel around from fair to fair like one large family, seeing each other on weekends.  Every fair has the same sights and sounds and even many of the same people, but every single one is still unique and worth attending. 
 
There is so much that goes unnoticed by the average passerby, but being on the inside of organizing an event like this for so many years I see the garbage being collected, the fences being painted, the ribbons being organized and everything being booked and set up.  It’s amazing to see all the hard work and the process it takes to make an annual fair a success.      
 
While perusing the exhibits at the Uxbridge Fair I watched an army of children run around screaming and laughing as they expressed pride in their ribbons.  “Mommy, what is a purple ribbon?” I got a purple ribbon and joy literally beamed from this little girl’s face.  It didn’t matter it was a participant ribbon because the sheer excitement just from entering and having it stapled to her item was obviously worthwhile.  It brought me back to my early years when I entered any and every category I could, just to get those ribbons and coins and display my fine artistic talents.  The ribbons and coin don’t matter to me at all anymore, but the rapport and feeling of being part of a community does.  Above this, keeping the tradition going for years to come so future children can enter and enjoy what my sister and I enjoyed for so many years.  I know that feeling that the little girl felt.  It’s exciting and as time passes, no ribbon can replace the love that builds over the years as you attend and support local fairs and take part in the process of entering exhibits and making it successful. 
 
Be a visitor of a local fair!  Support the local vendors and service clubs and enjoy the agriculture and antiquity that comes along with the fairs.  I don’t mean the people, although the majority of fair members are antique!  I mean the history behind the events and the generations that support and organize the events.  However, if you are under 30, or even under 50, get in there to help and you will be needed and appreciated as a fair member. 
 
Check out the OAAS websites: www.ontariofairs.com and www.ontarioagsocieties.com  so you can get involved at a fair near you or just attend and support it by paying at the gate and enjoying the events!

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