Record-breaking crowds for 190th edition

(Written by Sarah Rennie) Fairgoers attending this year’s 190th edition of the Huntingdon Fair were treated to four straight days of brilliant sunshine without any of the oppressive humidity that has so far marked this summer.  And, with perfect weather comes crowds, and this year’s fair was not a disappointment. In fact, attendance topped the record set three years ago with over 10,000 people having made their way to the fairgrounds. The Fair was officially opened Thursday evening with the traditional parade, which including several floats highlighting this year’s theme of Hockeyville, as well as representation from the Huntingdon and most neighbouring Fire Departments as well. This year featured a busy midway by Amusements Spectaculaires, which kept kids of all ages entertained, while a full schedule of special activities and events from horticulture and craft exhibits to the 4-H, cattle and horse show, Firemen’s Ball, Shave to Save, roaring tractor pulls and smashing demolition derby meant there was never a dull moment. New for the 190^th edition was a partnership with the Huntingdon County Farmers’ Market, which saw a number of local producers and artisans take part in the Fair, as well as Grove Hall, that produced an exceptional line-up of concerts each evening, with headliners The Damn Truth rocking the Fairgrounds. “There was a big crowd Saturday night,” says Glen Moore, the President of the Huntingdon Agricultural Society, which puts on the fair each year. “The tractor pull and the music really brought people out,” he noted, while suggesting the weather was a huge help in that regard as well. “Everything turned out perfect,” he concluded, suggesting this was also attributable in large part to the incredible pool of volunteers and sponsors who had been working for months to prepare. “It wouldn’t happen without the volunteers,” he admits, before adding “it’s a community event,” meaning that while the Fair might run on tradition it is backed by a hugely supportive community already noting the second weekend in August in their calendars for the 191st edition next year This year’s winner of the drawing for the lawn tractor was Anthony Poulin, while second place and $1,000 went to Tommy Coté, and third place and $500 to Jean-Sebastien Laberge.