The Lakes District Fall Fair, held from Sept. 6 to 8, once again showcased the community鈥檚 spirit and talent, drawing over 3,000 attendees despite smoky conditions on Saturday and a brief rain shower on Sunday. Joan McFee, one of the organizers, expressed her delight at the turnout, noting that the less-than-ideal weather didn鈥檛 deter families from enjoying a weekend packed with events.

 "It did not seem to bother too many, as many came to enjoy all the events that were planned," McFee said.

This year鈥檚 fair introduced two exciting new attractions. The Canadian SuperDogs from Calgary delighted crowds with their entertaining performances, creating long lines for 鈥減at and chat鈥� sessions after each show. 鈥淚t was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us,鈥� said Joan, highlighting the significant sponsorship that made the costly event possible.

Adding to the excitement, a young horse trickster team from Wainwright, Alberta, showcased their skills with performances that captivated spectators. The team鈥檚 riders, aged seven to 10, also engaged with young attendees, allowing them to 鈥渢ry a trick.鈥�

Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed various horse events, logger sports, and two special Purebred Livestock Shows鈥攖he 鈥淗ereford Mark of Excellence鈥� and the 鈥淎ngus Gold Show.鈥� Lakes District Fair Association was proud to host one of only two of each show in the province this year.

The Sheep and Swine barn buzzed with activity, while the Poultry Barn boasted a cacophony of geese, turkeys, ducks, and chickens. The 4-H Achievement Day added to the fair's vibrancy, featuring youth showcasing their projects and culminating in a lively auction on Saturday evening.

The Exhibit Hall saw nearly double the number of exhibitors this year, showcasing the immense talent within the community.鈥淭here is so much talent in our area, evident by the outstanding displays and exhibits," McFee said.

The fair also featured a Music Festival, highlighting local musicians and providing entertainment for attendees of all ages. The Children鈥檚 Festival, in collaboration with the Lakes District Arts Council, brought in 鈥淭he Kerplunks鈥� from Gabriola Island, creating a lively atmosphere filled with musical fun for kids.

Brandi Baker鈥檚 Pet Show was a hit, featuring a charming parade of dressed-up pets, while the fairgrounds buzzed with family-friendly activities such as the 鈥淗ammer Tent,鈥� inflatable games, duck races, sack races, and tug-of-war contests for various age groups.

"It was great to see so many young families having so much fun!"

This year's event saw over 3,000 attendees, with some coming from out of town too. "I felt there were a few more than last year, which was record attendance!" McFee added.

Joan emphasized the extensive planning that goes into the fair, which begins in January and continues up to the event. 鈥淚t takes over 150 volunteers to make this weekend happen,鈥� she noted, acknowledging the invaluable support from local businesses and the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake.

The fair鈥檚 success shows its importance to the community, fostering collaboration among rural and urban residents while providing a platform for showcasing local talent.

According to McFee the fair brings the whole community together to work together leading up to the Fair and  to celebrate and enjoy good clean family entertainment. Similarly, it  is also a place to show their talents," she said.

"We have the rural or agricultural community, the hobby farmers, and town folk all pulling together to have a great event. It creates a lot of community spirit. Everyone happy to be part of something bigger!"

McFee said that they aim to introduce something new every year, creating fresh experiences that encourage young families to return and bring their friends along.

As the fair wraps up for another year, organizers are already looking forward to next year鈥檚 event, eager to introduce new attractions that will continue to engage families and bring friends together.