Woodstock’s annual fall fair ready to entertain and educate

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The 187th version of the Woodstock Fair is about a week away and as always, there is a bit of new to go with the old.

The event’s theme this year is ‘Rural and Urban, One Community’ which is something first vice-president Robin Newton-Smith said is one of the key pillars of the Woodstock Agricultural Society.

“We are a rural centre, but we are a more urban centre. Woodstock became a big place for all the farmers but that has now kind of gone away and we now have a large urban population who may know nothing about farming. We are trying to show everybody what’s up.”

He added their farmer’s market runs on Saturdays year-round which he said is a good example of rural and urban blending along with the animals at the fair.

“We bring in all kinds of animals to the fair like small chicks and little pigs. Anything we can do to show people because they don’t understand anymore how this all happens.”

The fair is looking for Rural Oxford businesses to showcase products and services at the fair. Ronda Stewart is the economic development officer with Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation.

“Earlier this year, we enjoyed a collaboration conversation with the Woodstock Fairgrounds about creating an opportunity for Oxford County's rural and urban businesses to showcase their local products and services at the Fair.”

She added the planning committee’s theme of ‘Rural and Urban, One Community’ is one her group naturally support in their work.

“We offered to promote this marketing opportunity to rural businesses across Oxford County. It is comprised of many unique cultural communities and we look forward to visiting the 187th Woodstock Fair.”

There are always a few new events at the fair every year, and Newton-Smith said he’s looking forward to seeing this year’s newcomers.

“We’ve got the Raptor Conservatory of Canada coming in with a live bird of prey show. They have five birds coming in for that. A professional musician is going to do three shows on Saturday and Sunday and we have a trackless train that is going to give people rides around the fair. We also have a petting zoo.”

Live music provided by Big Shiney Tunes, will also be playing an outdoor concert on Friday night. Refreshments will be available for anyone taking in the rock and roll band.

The Woodstock Fall Fair is one of the few not charging admission, something Newton-Smith said would just be too difficult considering there are no gates.

“The gates were taken off for the 150th anniversary of Canada and they were never put back up and it’s a challenge.”

He added the other activities providing income to the ag society help them break even with the fair.

“If it doesn’t rain, we do okay, we break even.”

While some organizations and events suffer from a lack of volunteer support, Newton-Smith said that isn’t the case with the annual fair.

“A woman came along last year and said she would get us volunteers and she got us too many. She got us 30 this year which is great. We have some kids looking for their high school hours and some adults. Some people are back from last year so we are doing something right.”

The dairy and 4-H shows are back this year along with Old McDonald’s Farm and poultry show along with the midway.

“Those are the standard things we bring back. We also have chainsaw carvers along with a blacksmith demo because we had so many questions last year about horseshoeing.”

The fair does charge for entrance to the tractor pull and demolition derby competitions, two crowd favourites. The fee is $5.

“Come on out and have some fun and since we don’t charge come out more than once!”

The fair kicks off at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, and runs until Sunday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. More information is available at https://woodstockfairgrounds.com/fair_events_listing.