TIMMINS - Everything from pumpkins to chocolate chip cookies are vying for cash prizes and a blue ribbon this weekend.
The annual Timmins Fall Fair is taking over the Mountjoy Arena Sept. 7-8, putting all things agriculture in the spotlight.
Gardeners, bakers, crafters, and more have dropped off their entries to be judged this weekend, and many are looking forward to the results.
Gaetane Boninieul has been growing vegetables — including peppers, carrots, and rhubarb — to enter in the competition.
“This is the last of it,” she said. “We will have a table as well.”
She also does beaded artwork and painting, but her rhubarb is part of a family tradition.
“That’s the rhubarb we had when I was a kid,” she said. “It’s always the same plant but it grows all over.”
Many people filing into the arena at 814 Park Ave. on Thursday night had similar stories, and over a dozen volunteers were there to help things run smoothly.
The Porcupine District Agricultural Society (PDAS) has been running the fall fair for 79 years.
President Rock Whissell said they’re ready for anything over the weekend, even the rain that's in the forecast.
“There are going to be a lot more activities in the big tent that the city put up just today and inside the arena,” he said.
“If it is beautiful and there is no rain, we’ll still have the horse pull and the herding dog demonstrations. The petting zoo is all covered, so all the animals have covers on them, so bring an umbrella, walk through one location to the next, and enjoy the fair.”
Entry to the event is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12 years, but the games and activities once you’re in are free to play.
“There’s ample place to get out of the rain,” he said.
The animals are a big draw for the event and many of them are very used to the attention.
“These animals are part of a travelling facility, and they’re really well taken care of, so they’re something that everybody can look at and learn about,” said Whissell.
The schedule for the events over the weekend is:
Saturday, Sept. 7
- 8 a.m. - Gates open
- 10 a.m. - Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstrations
- 11:30 a.m.
- Opening ceremonies
- Dog gym demonstrations
- Noon - Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstrations
- 1 p.m.
- Arm wrestling competition
- Crib tournament
- 1:30 p.m. - Dog gym demonstrations
- 2 p.m.
- Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstration
- Build-a-Buddy teddy bear picnic
- 2:30 p.m. - Porcupine District Agricultural Society farm animal show
- 3 p.m. - Dog gym demonstrations
- 4 p.m. - Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstration
- 6 p.m. - fair closes
- 7 p.m.
- Concert event with Eric Girard
- Beer gardens with Full Beard brewing
- 9 p.m. - Rosewood Ave concert
Sunday, Sept. 8
- 9 a.m. - Fair opens
- 9:30 a.m. - Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstration
- 10 a.m. - Porcupine District Agricultural Society farm animal show
- 11 a.m. - Human tractor pull
- Noon - Rock n Roll stock dogs herding demonstration
- 1 p.m.
- Caisse Alliance heavy horse pull with le Club des Chavaux Forts du Nord
- PDAS baby contest (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
- 2 p.m. - Build-a-Buddy teddy bear picnic
- 2: 30 p.m. - PDAS farm animal show
- 4 p.m. - Fair closes
More information is available at the Timmins Fall Fair Facebook group.
