This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Fri Apr 19 18:15:24 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: All’s “Fair” in Shelburne this weekend --------------------------------------------------- By Marni Walsh   “Let the bells ring out and the banners fly.” Or should I say, “Let the roosters crow and call the hogs!” It is fair week in Shelburne and this year that means some new additions to the 149 year old tradition – Hog Calling and Rooster Crowing Competitions. But, you can only see them - or hear them - if you come to the fair! The weekend-long event opens this Friday night, September 16, at the Fair Grounds behind the Agriculture Society Building on William Street, right beside the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex. Competition and events run all weekend, including registration for the Hog Calling and Rooster Crowing, which take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, with the competition to begin at 2 p.m. The new event promises to be a crowd pleaser, and the hardworking Board of Directors hopes that everyone will enjoy joining in and watching the fun unfold. Fair Board Director Murray Crawford says the event “is very popular in the mid-west United States.” “Some of the contestants really get into it,” he says. “It's not as easy as it sounds.” There are three categories to enter in the competition, depending on the contestant's age: Juniors range from ages 5-11 years; Intermediate 12-18 years; and Seniors 18 to... “very old.” Apparently, a good sense of humour will go a long way in this contest. All the performances will be judged on appearance, originality and, most importantly, good, old fashioned enthusiasm. Prizes range from $10 for 3rd, $15 for 2nd, and $25 for the first place hog caller and best cock-a-doodle-doer in Dufferin! Winners receive trophies as well, and, as the Board of Director's put it, “bragging rights” all fair weekend long. The 17 members of the Shelburne and District Fair Board are really hoping crowds will be drawn to the fun, and “that there will be a good show up” for the new event. “I figure that something a little different will bring a good gathering of curious people,” says Crawford. But, if hogs and roosters are really not your thing – there is so much more to see! For hockey fans, NHL Star and Stanley Cup winner Aaron Downey will be on the fairgrounds Friday night at 6 p.m. for road hockey. Kids there to shoot some pucks with Aaron need only bring a donation for Shelburne's food bank – The Shepherd's Cupboard – to get in free. Although the Exhibit Hall opens at 6 p.m., bursting to the brim with antiques, arts and crafts, and all things that grow, the Fair officially opens at 7 p.m., with The Great Pumpkin Auction and Ambassador Contest, followed by family entertainment. Saturday and Sunday are filled with family and kids' activities: pony rides, straw maze, music, fun food, an extreme obstacle course and a giant slide. There are horse shows, dog shows, sheep and 4H beef and dairy shows. There are bicycle races, lawn mower races, tractor pulls, a blacksmith demonstration and lots of vendors displaying their wares. An annual crowd favourite, the smokin' hot, bang 'em up Demolition Derby starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, the Classic Car Show starts at 11 a.m. with prizes awarded at 2 p.m. All this and more at the Shelburne and District Fair September 16-18 at the Shelburne Agriculture Society Fair Grounds - and do not forget this year's additional bonus - your neighbour crowing like a rooster. Like Murray Crawford says, “What more could you ask for?” --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2016-09-16 11:56:11 Post date GMT: 2016-09-16 15:56:11 Post modified date: 2016-09-30 11:04:40 Post modified date GMT: 2016-09-30 15:04:40 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com