There are just a few slight changes and additions to this year’s Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society annual fall fair, but president Emily Watson feels each will enhance the popular district event.
For example, a new event—an open mic night—is set to be held on Saturday night upstairs in the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. featuring performers from throughout the district.
And on Friday evening, each of the Emo Fair Queen contestants will be offering up a second showing of their talents from entertainment night from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
“Not everyone can get there on Thursday night to see them,” Watson noted. “And it is kind of a shame for them to do all that practice and only be able to do it once. They won’t be as nervous doing it the second time because they’ve already been crowned.”
There will be a charge of $2 to attend the events, which are fundraising initiatives to build a multi-use facility on the fairgrounds that would replace some of the current buildings that are no longer in good shape.
“It’ll be some light entertainment for people. They can come and go as they choose,” Watson voiced. “It’s not a late night, so they are more than welcome to bring their whole family.”
There will be food and beverages available during the entertainment both evenings.
Another change to this year’s fair will see the ever popular “Grandpa Magic” balloon and magic show be performed upstairs in the arena, instead of outside on the fairgrounds.
“He does balloon characters and it was windy last year, so you can imagine what was happening,” she remarked, adding he will present his show on both Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m.
“We will be giving out family passes at the gate to direct people up to the show,” she indicated, citing there is no charge to view the performance.
Meanwhile, “Name that Tune” sponsored by Sight and Sound, will also be moved to another location—the former bingo booth.
“People will be able to sit around there in their teams,” Watson said, noting it wasn’t quite handy holding the activity in front of the small stage in previous years.
“We haven’t had a bingo there for a while and we’re trying to make use of the space,” she continued. “This way it moves ‘Name that Tune’ further into the fair and it also allows our main performer, Arnie, to have time on the small stage.”
Arnie the Fiddler will also be involved in the second showing of the Fair Queen talent show on Friday night and the open mic night on Saturday.
In addition, with the beer gardens no longer at the fair (it will be held at the new Emo Sportsfield in conjunction with their slo-pitch tournament running Thursday to Sunday), there is more space on the fairgrounds.
“With the decision by the Emo Legion to remove the beer garden, it allows us more room for a larger variety of rides,” Watson stressed, adding more seating will also be available in that space.
“”We’ve put up a tent and we’re going to put picnic tables there,” she said. “When people get their food they can sit on the benches in front of the exhibition hall, but if we have tables and chairs beside the 4-H food booth, then there will be more places to go and sit as well.”
The Farm Progress Building, which is set to be jam-packed with booths ranging from the Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association to the Rainy River District Women’s Institute, is going to have a new addition—Sunrise Meat and Sausage will be in the lobby at the arena.
“They are going to have food and beverages,” she explained. “It’s so much more convenient for anyone in the Farm Progress Building so they don’t have to go through the fair for refreshments.”
As well, the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market, along with the Rainy River Future Development Corp. and the local food council, will have a booth selling corn-on-the-cob.
“For the last couple of years we haven’t had corn-on-the-cob,” recalled Watson. “It’s something we’ve been missing and will now be offered again, which is nice. The fair is about fall and corn is about fall.”
She added the advance midway tickets have been selling well and everything is coming together smoothly.
“I expect an excellent weekend,” she expressed, but she indicated the fair board could use a few more volunteers to help out in the exhibition hall and around the grounds.
“Anytime over Friday or Saturday if they just want to sign up for an hour or two, they are more than welcome to,” she voiced. “It just gives our board members a chance to take a break.”
There are also costumes people can borrow to walk around the grounds or wear in the parade.
“Without the board and the community support year after year, we couldn’t do this,” she added. “They should be recognized for all their work. They’re busy from the beginning to the end.”
In related news, Watson is asking people not to park on the fairgrounds. Extensive parking is available west of the arena, as well as on one side of the street on Colonization Road.
Anyone who needs a ride into the fairgrounds should ask at the gate and someone will be able to pick them up there.
A schedule of events for the fair will also be available at each of the entry gates.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
