South Mountain Fair time

The 123rd Annual South Mountain Fair takes place August 13-16 and is bigger and better with lots to do for everyone. 

Planning took place immediately after last years fair ended. “Never a break,” says President Paul Allan. “I guess that’s why it’s so big and gets better every year. Our volunteers need a big thank you cause they work around the clock  in their already hectic schedules.”

Grant coordinator, Anna Smail, has come up big for the fair bringing in all kinds of grants with a recent grant of $88,000 from Trillium. 

“She has researched every kind of grant that you can imagine, including a rain grant,” says Allan. “Our board is happy to have her on board.”

With the$88,000 grant comes a major over haul of the Mountain Township Agricultural Hall. 

“There are major renovations going on as we speak,” says Allan. The main part of the building is almost 40 years old and needs to become more energy efficient. 

“Lots will take place this year on our fair grounds all for a mere $20. Everyone will be happy. You won’t go home disappointed. You will spread the word,” says President Allan, “especially the kids!”

Due to the fact that it is often difficult for attendees with special needs to visit the South Mountain Fair when large crowds are present, this year the gates will be open from 11 – 2 on Thursday, August 13th. 

This earlier access time will provide a quieter atmosphere and the option of more room to maneuver on the grounds. Those wishing to take advantage of this opportunity must be accompanied by a chaperone says Secretary,  Kimberly Havekes.

Thursday is half price day. For only $10, everything, including unlimited rides take place from 4 to 10 p.m.

Thursday night also brings in the second annual truck pull. 

“We have installed a new clay track that the pullers will have a smiling face and I m sure the crowd will be in a roar when they see these trucks pulling,” says Allan.

Friday comes with the entries of all exhibits. 

Poultry judging commences at 10 a.m. and the midway gets going at 4 p.m., and again rides are unlimited. New this year is the Power Wheels Derby that takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the derby pit. This is open to ages of 5-7 and they need to supply their own power wheels vehicle, says chairperson Colton Stitt. Then the ever so popular Demolition Derby starts at 7 p.m. with a surprise happening sometime within the show. Kerosene Creek takes to the stage under the huge entertainment tent at 8 p.m.

Saturday is filled with everything you can imagine. 

Another day that costs only $20 for everything except your food and drink. 

We start the day off with a Children’s Fun Pony & Horse show and a children’s pet show commencing at 9 a.m. 

The second annual children’s entertainment tent is packed full this year of entertainment ideas including Glass Slippers meet and greet, Streek-It/Wack hairspray, Dr. Funny Bones, Papa Hershey Trains and two shows daily at  1 and 3:30 p.m. and the ever popular TV show Splash N’ Boots. 

There will be a Lumberjack show in the derby pit. 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.  All the way from Western Canada, everything from axe throwing, chopping, sawing and more. A real crowd pleaser. 

The Greasy Pig contest is back and is geared towards kids 2-11 and costs $2 to register which starts at 2 p.m. 

New this year is the Pizza Eating contest. Their is a men’s entry and a ladies entry and is sponsored by King’s Pizza and will be emceed by Juice 97.5FM. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun and we even have St. John Ambulance standing by,” says Allan. The one that can eat an extra large (men’s) or a large (ladies) in 8 minutes wins a prize. 

Ending the evening are headliners Cory Marquardt at 7:30 and Jordan McIntosh at 8:30. Both shows are an all ages show. 

Ending the night with the Blackwell Band from Richmond which will be a Age of Majority event.

Sunday has just as much and still only $20.

Come to the Ecumenical Church Service being held in the Agricultural Hall from 9:45 a.m. – 11a.m.

If you missed the Children’s Entertainment tent on Saturday, you can see it all again on Sunday with all the same attractions. 

Heavy horse show runs at 10 a.m. and the Beef show begins at noon followed by the Simmental/Angus show.

Unwound opens the Entertainment tent up at 1 p.m. and Teea Goans takes the stage at 2 p.m. Also at 2 p.m. will be the Jr. Farmers Olympics.

At 3:30 p.m. the five grand Prize draws will take place along with the Fundraising money raffle that has been going on since April

Then the big headliner Joe Diffie closes the Entertainment tent from 4-5:30 p.m. Some of Diffie greatest hits are John Deere Green, Pickup Man,Home and Ships Don’t Come In.

“We’ve got a great fair here,” says Allan. 

“You know why its so great? Cause its our volunteers, sponsors of monetary donations and in kind and our community that all pull together to have this large calibre fair in the small town of South Mountain. So, thank you to all. We look forward in serving you at the best family valued fair in Eastern Ontario.”

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