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No fair is complete without a pipe band
Students, teachers, parents & grandparents turned out for the 89th
annual fair
Wall of art by children surrounded the community centre |
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The Belgrave-Blyth-Brussels student agricultural fair is one of
the longest, if not the longest, running fair of its kind in Canada.
For 89 years, the fair has brought not only the students together
from the three communities but also their parents and grandparents.
Many of those two earlier generations spoke with fond memories of
their participation in the parade, the livestock displays and
various games that have not changed in three generations.
President Tim Walden spoke of the importance of a fair that draws
families together. "This fall fair is the chance to celebrate the
four seasons and the bounty that each offers and also gives our
children the opportunity to build their identities and place in
their communities where they are raised.
Bill Strong represented MP Ben Lobb and Laura Higgins, who was the
top Grade 9 student at F.E. Madill high school in Wingham officially
opened the fair. "My parents and grandparents were in the parade
that we were in today," she said, "so I'm really proud to be able to
open the fair today."
"We are very concerned that next year, our 90th anniversary, may be
our last fair," said Walden. "Our schools are being closed and
amalgamated and we just aren't getting the volunteers that are
needed. I think it would be disastrous if this were to happen but
people have to step up to the plate or future generations will not
have the same chances that these students here today have."
Fair President Tim Walden & son Zachary with pumpkins raised by Zachary
and his brother Jeffrey(absent)
Older 'experts' inspect what the children have grown
(next column)
15/09/2009 10:57 PM
Science Deep Geologic
Repository News
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Fair sign
Bill Strong of MP Ben Lobb's office and Laura Higgins who opened the
fair
Students brought their favourite animals, from goats and sheep, to cattle
and horses
Tina Verschaeve tries to convince her calf 'Hazel' to move into the ring
80-year-old Bill Netherey has been playing the drum for almost 50 years
and can't resist taking a turn
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