153rd Avonmore Fair set for July 19-23

This year’s 153rd annual Avonmore Fair is July 19, 20 and 21, 2013 and as usual features all of the favourite competitions as well as new additions. The Roxborough Agricultural Society toils each year to keep the tradition of one of Ontario’s oldest Fairs a true family event!

PHOTO CREDIT - Robert Lefebvre, IceLevel.com

Avonmore - July 8, 2013 - This year’s 153rd annual Avonmore Fair is July 19, 20 and 21, 2013 and as usual features all of the favourite competitions as well as new additions.

The Fair opens its gates on Friday evening with free gate admission to all. This will introduce the kids to the new inflatable midway with a variety of equipment for different ages. This new format for the midway will provide parents with a very affordable and fun option compared to the traditional rides.

The Superstructure Stage has its first performance on Friday evening by hosting “the largest Barn Dance in the Seaway Valley” with the hugely popular country band Ambush. In their 20th year as a band, Ambush are currently having their busiest summer ever playing concerts and festivals all over Canada, on the support of their latest single “My Little Girl” which hit number 24 on country radio. Ambush is truly one of Canada’s greatest party bands!

If the wet weather happens to fall on fair weekend, guests and performers are covered! The Superstructure Stage will keep everyone dry and/or out of the sun. Saturday morning the Baby Show will be followed by Rockin the Arts puppets with their Super-Hero Showdown for the kids. Kids will also delight in having free face painting and balloon tying performed by clowns both days.

The official Fair opening will also be held inside on the Superstructure Stage featuring local dignitaries and special guest speaker Sara Little who is the current Ontario Queen of the Furrow. This is in support of the International Plowing Match coming to Stormont County in 2015.

The Talent Show has a newly expanded format which will cover youth from 3 years to 20 years of age. The youngest group will be awarded according to gender. The middle age division can compete in a vocal, dance and variety category. The senior group will be going after the biggest prize money in a single premier compilation. First place is $500, second place $300 and third place $200. Entry forms can be found through the Fair website at www.avonmorefair.ca . After the talent show stick around to listen to the band Country Roads.

We all have to be thinking that this year’s wet weather is for the dogs! The Avonmore Fair will be keeping it that way…unless of course you get too close to the gigantic 27,000 gallon pool of water in front of the Grandstand. This is where the Rideau River Dock Dogs aquatic canine competition will be happening.

The Big Air, Extreme Verticle and Speed Retrieve competitions include high flying dogs of all sizes and breeds, where the dogs run and jump from a 40’ dock into the giant pool. Competition is open to anyone and is currently the fastest growing dog sport in North America. Pre-register at www.dockdogs.com and learn more at www.rideauriverdockdogs.com.

CWA Wrestling will be returning after providing an amazing show last year! The ring will be constructed in the Superstructure Building late Saturday afternoon and promises to provide live action as entertaining as anything seen in the big leagues, with a huge variety of male and female wrestlers.

The music continues on Saturday evening with a true treat to fans of rock and roll. Philadelphia based Low Cut Connie is touring through Canada this summer and as a result of a local family connection has timed their arrival to coincide with the Fair.

These British & American bandmates perform old school rock ‘n roll centered on a Jerry Lee Lewis style piano pounding. Their hit song “Boozophilia” was one of the top songs of last year by Rolling Stone magazine and National Public Radio has also placed the album in their top 10. L.A. Weekly says “their ferocious live show is unmatched in all of rock right now.”

Local musicians Glenn Goodman and Shawn Lorange will provide an acoustic set as special guest openers.

There will be more music with Rev and the Choir Boys performing during the ecumenical service on Sunday morning. Sunday also has professional clown “Stretch” who will both emcee and perform during a series of physical challenges grouped according to age and gender. These will include nail driving, bale throwing and bobbing for apples.

The Shiners will hold the stage for Sunday afternoon with special guest Grace Willison. This show featuring one of this area’s most popular country/cross-over bands is also in the fully licensed Superstructure Building.

Home cooked breakfasts will again be served both Saturday and Sunday in the North Stormont Place hall located at the front of Fairground property.

The basis of all agricultural Fairs are the competitions and exhibits. An ever-expanding 4-H calf show will be held Saturday alongside two horse shows. The colourful Western Horse Show will be held in the sand ring and The Spirits in Unity Horse Show will feature competitions and public education on the art of horse whispering. The English Horse and Pony Show will be held all day Sunday.

The Exhibition Hall is always filled to capacity with an amazing variety of judged entries ranging from field crops to school art and baked goods. Keeping with the theme of agriculture, Dupont Pioneer and Charles Wert Ag Products will be sponsoring a new Agricultural Education tent. This will feature a variety of commodity based displays including The Travellin’ Farmer interactive display.

The Roxborough Agricultural Society toils each year to keep the tradition of one of Ontario’s oldest Fairs a true family event!