Enjoy the fair

Rainy River District certainly is much different today than it was a century ago—with some changes for the best and others not.
One constant, fortunately, is the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society’s annual fair in Emo each August, which has been a highlight of the summer for many residents right across the district for almost 110 years.
Stock car drivers talk about the added fame of winning a fair race. For a group of young ladies, there’s the excitement of vying for the prestigious fair queen crown while for those in 4-H, the fair marks the culmination of their hard work raising their steer for show and auction.
Then there’s all those who proudly bring their harvest, crafts, preserves, and baking to the Exhibition Hall in hopes of taking home a ribbon.
Whether you attend the fair to try to win a prize, or just go to enjoy the midway rides, the third weekend of August each year symbolizes a return to our roots, when people took a break from their daily farm chores or jobs to gather with family, friends, and neighbours in a spirit of community and celebration.
That spirit is especially important to preserve these days, when the hustle and bustle of 21st-century life far too often keeps everyone from connecting with one another or simply “smelling the roses” along the way.
As important as the fair is, though, it doesn’t just magically happen. Like other major events, such as the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, Emo Walleye Classic, and the Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts, volunteers are the backbone to its continued success year in and year out.
The fair board has spent months planning and organizing the various activities, with countless others working behind the scenes to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
Thanks to their dedication and efforts, the rest of us can enjoy the fair—and relive memories of bygone times even if just for a few days.