Seaforth Fall Fair

 

The Seaforth Fall Fair is set to return from September 18 to 20, promising a weekend packed with agricultural tradition, quirky competitions, and a nod to local history.

 

According to Crystal Whyte, President of the Seaforth Agricultural Society, the fair itself boasts an impressive 180-year history, "not the members, but the fair". Whyte highlighted the unique appeal of the event, which includes a county-wide 4-H show on Friday night at the Agri-plex. Seaforth is one of the few area fairs with enough space, including indoor barns and outdoor areas, to accommodate all of the animals simultaneously.

 

The fair continues to innovate, building on the success of last year’s incredibly popular zucchini races. What is a zucchini race, you ask? Get a zucchini (homegrown or store-bought). Decorate it (get creative!). Fix some wheels to it. Register at the fair. Send our masterpiece zooming down the ramp!

 

For enthusiasts of tiny bricks, an "very impressive" Lego display will be featured at the Historic Round House, attracting young and adult displayers from across the county. Whyte shared a historical anecdote regarding the Round House: it currently sits in the middle of the arena parking lot because the Agricultural Society donated all the surrounding land to the town in the 1950s for the construction of the arena.

 

The homecraft display is also stirring up excitement, particularly with a major incentive for local growers. After five years of focusing on homegrown tomatoes, the competition switched last year to carrots, offering a staggering $1,000 prize for the best entry, a lure that has attracted considerable attention.

 

Friday will also feature an agricultural education day for the two local schools, providing interactive, station-to-station programming.

 

Other highlights include the long-running ambassador competition on Friday at 7 p.m., a program the society is "quite proud of" after running it for over 50 years. Participants often cite the experience as a great learning opportunity. Saturday's events will feature a mini horse show and a mid-western horse show. Visitors looking for a perfect photo opportunity can visit the sunflower selfie field.

 

Live local entertainment will run throughout the day in both indoor and outdoor tents, culminating in a concert with Highway 21 in the Agriplex. Admission to the Fair is free, and free activities include face-painting and a balloon glitter tattoo, though there is a $10 fee for access to the inflatable centre for the day. While all exhibits are taken down by Sunday, the weekend concludes with a community brunch and church service. www.seaforthagriculturalsociety.on.ca 140 Duke Street, Seaforth