Agricultural traditions are on full display at the Coldwater Fall Fair this weekend.
This year’s theme is “rubber boots and country roots.”
For Marlene Limpright, president of the Coldwater and District Agricultural Society, it’s all about the animals and farming roots at the fair. She said many other places that hold fall fairs have focused on entertainment such as midways and carnival attractions.
The Coldwater Fall Fair has enough farmers and support to keep its agricultural aspects highlighted.
Limpright has been with the fair since about 2009, she said, and was elected president of the agricultural society two years ago.
“It’s a lot of work,” she said, but added her love for horses, sheep, cows, and all things farming drives her involvement.
The horse-drawn wagon were introduced three years ago and many attendees love them.
“It’s a way to see the whole grounds, experience the ride and get off your feet for a bit but still be participating, especially for the little ones,” said Limpright.
For the committee organizing the fair, most planning is done two years in advance, so it took some foresight to introduce some new aspects this year.
“We revamped the ambassadors program,” said Limpright.
This is the first year they introduced “minis,” ages six to nine, to join the juniors (10 to 15) and seniors (16 to 24). Coldwater also has the only golden ambassador division in the district, which is 60 and older.
“It’s fun. You get a ribbon and talk to people, but you still get to go on rides,” said mini-ambassador Melody Hisey.
Among the agricultural attractions are the many animals — poultry, cow and sheep contests with people of various ages involved. The chickens come in more forms and colours than one might expect, and the cows “are misunderstood; they love to be loved,” Limpright said as one of the cows nudged her for a head pet.
Many in Severn Township get involved at the fair. Jake Hawkins, an inspector with Severn Fire and Emergency Services, is on a roll to make firefighters out of everyone by setting up in the field with a team to educate. Young and old can experience scenarios while wearing a firefighting suit.
On the indoor side of things, the fair includes traditional submissions that are displayed by age groups and judged. Many include rubber boots due to the theme selected this year. Susie Barker remembers submitting something last when she was 10 years old. Now, at 71, she submitted a rooster made by rug hooking, and she won.
She was sitting with two of her looms, which her husband made for her, showing the differences between them and the process involved. She was set on making loops for the tea towels she weaves.
“It’s about brain power and creativity,” said Barker.
Erika Bienert has been involved with the pumpkin carving tables for years. Now, due to safety reasons, they decorate pumpkins, but she still sees a lot of interest from children.
“We’ve been doing this for years,” Bienert said of the team of volunteers she has making it happen.
This year, they sourced 120 pumpkins from Autumn Harvest Farms, which the kids get to keep after decorating.
The fair continues today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information, including a schedule of events, can be found here.
