The 107th Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society fall fair was again a success and president Emily Watson attributes that to the hard work of all the volunteers.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” she stressed. “These are not just people on the board, there are additional volunteers. All of our board members do a huge amount, but then, for example, yesterday we had people and kids come and help pick up garbage.
“Every little bit helps,” she added.
Watson also had the help of local residents Sandra Allan and Maverick Judson organizing the “Open Mic” fundraiser which was a new attraction to the fair. Local performers also volunteered their time and talent for the event.
And the 2007 fair royalty, crowned on Thursday night, offered their time to help pageant organizers run the Mini King and Queen competition.
“We even had some people come and dressed up in costumes, and they went around the fair talking to the kids,” she noted.
In addition, when scheduled performer “Arnie the Fiddler” was unable to make it to the fair, Allan quickly organized local talent to fill his timeslots and performed part of the day herself.
“Lots of people helped out in so many ways,” Watson stressed. “We just really appreciate everything they do.”
The schedule for the fair was jam-packed and for each event there were volunteers helping to ensure it ran smoothly—from the 4-H steer auction to the parade to the Miniature, Draft and Light Horse show.
Even B•93’s Jay Desrosiers offered up his time to announce the annual Logger’s Competition last minute, though he had never been to a competition of that nature before.
“The whole weekend went really, really well,” enthused Watson. “I’m so happy. I just love the fair . . . It’s the high point of my year.”
She explained though attendance was down just a touch—less than one percent—from last year, various religious and cultural groups who had never attended the fair before came this year.
“It’s a positive thing,” she expressed. “Because the Legion chose to have their beer gardens at the sportsfield, that allowed families, cultural and religious groups to come out. It’s just wonderful . . . It was really a nice atmosphere this year.”
And, of course, the beautiful weather was also a positive addition to an event which has often seen dreary, wet weather in the past.
“We had absolutely gorgeous weather,” Watson remarked. “The fair doesn’t end on Saturday—we clean up on Sunday and Monday and the weather is still holding for us. The rain last Wednesday must have gotten it all out of its system.”
She indicated not only did the rain stay away, but the temperatures were nearly perfect—not too hot and not too cold.
“If it’s extremely hot, everyone suffers,” she said. “But it was really great.”
Watson added some of the events didn’t go over quite as well as planned, such as the new location for the “Name that Tune” and the “Open Mic” fundraiser.
“It’s just the first year,” she noted. “There were people coming on, going throughout the evening, but we’ll be looking at getting more people up there for next time.”
However, she stressed the fair was a success and thanked everyone for their support and hard work in making it happen.
A special thanks also goes out to the Fort Frances Museum for donating cabinets, which enhanced the displays in the exhibit hall.
Winners of the RRVAS raffle
•Gerald Bullied and Doug Hodge
2007 Mini King and Queen
•Calin Campbell (Fort Frances) and Kaitlynn Lougheed (Nestor Falls)
Loggers’ Competition results
•Winner (with the most points)—Kelvin Caul;
•Cross-cut (2 man)—1. Duane Loveday and Wes Smith 2. Kelvin Caul and Jason Caul 3. Randy Vandenburg and Curtis Smith;
•Chainsaw speed buck—1. Duane Loveday 2. Wes Smith 3. Kelvin Caul;
•Pole felling—1. Curtis Smith 2. Wes Smith 3. Kelvin Caul;
•Buck saw (Godbout Memorial Award)—1. Wes Smith 2. Glen Smith 3. Jason Caul;
•Axe throw—1. Jason Caul 2. Kelvin Caul 3. Glen Smith;
•Axe chop—1. Jason Caul 2. Kelvin Caul 3. Orville Smith;
•Pulpwood toss—1. Kelvin Caul 2. Jason Caul 3. Wes Smith;
•Chair carve—1. Duane Loveday 2. Kelvin Caul 3. Curtis Smith;
•Tea boil—1. Kelvin Caul and Jason Caul 2. Duane Loveday and Wes Smith 3. Randy Vandenburg and Curtis Smith;
•Safe logger award—Kelvin Caul and Duane Loveday (tie); and
•Rookie logger—Glen Smith.
Tractor pull and balance results
•Tractor pull (small tractors)—1. Rod Carter 2. Alf Redford 3. Jamie Galusha
•Tractor pull (large tractors)—1. Gilbert Heyens 2. Allan Caul 3. Jim Galusha
•Tractor balance—1. Delbert Redford 2. Steve Lougheed 3. Alf Redford
