‘Little Fair with Big Tradition’ set for Sept. 17

Hand-tying tobacco is one of the oldest traditions at the Langton Fair. The competition, which starts at 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 17, is open to the public and you do not have to pre-register.

Chris Abbott

Editor

This year’s 135th Langton Fair, the ‘Little Fair with Big Tradition,’ is set for Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The traditional parade begins at 11 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at the Langton Lions Community Sports Complex, near the pavilion.

The baby show starts at 12:30 p.m. inside the arena, nail-driving competition – with children and adult divisions - starts at 12:45 p.m. and the tobacco hand tying at 1:15 p.m., both near the stage. The junior talent contest is 1:30 p.m. inside the arena - all great traditions going back many decades.

“It’s the same kind of format,” said Carol Overbaugh, president of the North Walsingham Agricultural Society.

“I still remember Lucas Wilson (holder of four Guinness World Records) in the talent show,” said Overbaugh. “Back then, we had so many we had to have preliminaries at the school. The eight finalists went on to the fair day. I think he made it to the finals – he had a little school desk, that’s what he kept his props on. He was really young, maybe Grade 2 or 3 – his dad taught at Langton Public and would help him set up. He did a really good job. He would talk all the way through it - it was so cute - and he must have won at one point because, boy, he got really good.

“Another one was Daniel Main – he went to Langton Public and he had a little magic show going. He was young, too, about Grade 2 when he started, and he got quite good. I remember he did a little show for the daycare kids - that was his first audience.

“You never know what can happen at the talent show,” Overbaugh laughed. “It’s fun to watch how well they’ve all done.”

Both Wilson and Main returned in 2012 to do free shows.

“Everybody loved it – it was so kind of them,” said Overbaugh. “And it’s nice to know they remember where they started from. That’s awesome.”

Last year’s fair had more exhibits, more food vendors with long lineups, more participation in the tobacco tying, nail driving, the baby show and junior talent show, and the most cars and tractors they’ve ever had in the parade – so many that the front end of the parade, three trucks from Norfolk County Fire Station, had to wait on George Street allowing the rest of the parade to go by before looping back to the arena on Albert Street.

The crowd also increased quite a bit last year, said Overbaugh, “which is good because it shows more interest from the schools and the community.”

This year’s parade route will be one block shorter, first heading to the main street (Queen), then turning to Grey Street, then George Street.

“We just tell people, whoever wants to be in the parade just go to the parking lot. The cars usually start at the track behind the arena and the students join the parade from their schools. It all kind of starts together, going in order.”

Plaques are awarded for best tractor and car in the parade. Parade participants, as well as the public, can vote for their favourites. 

“Whoever wins gets their picture on the plaque for the next year. We have quite a few tractors now – people like to see that - so Frank DeDobbelaer, who runs the car show, suggested we do the same thing for the tractors.”

Art and craft exhibits are displayed inside the arena – always a highlight for students - along with vegetable and fruit entries, and vendors.

Lunch will be served by the CWL in the community centre.