Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society Fall Fair organizer Glen Doyle said her heart dropped when she woke up on the day of the event — Sept. 13 — and realized it was pouring rain.
But she said she was heartened to see that even though it was still raining steadily as the event started in mid-morning, people showed up in droves anyway, albeit in rain gear and carrying umbrellas.
By early afternoon, though, the rain had stopped, and the fair grounds were hopping.
The event featured activities for the whole family, including bouncy castles, a classic car show, an antique tractor display, a pumpkin cannon and more than 100 vendors.
One of the highlights was the pumpkin-pie-eating contest, where blindfolded volunteers fed a slice of pie to a team member.
Deftly fed by Lively District Secondary School principal Leslie Mantle, Ward 2 Coun. Jacques Barbeau wolfed down his slice of the pie the quickest. Mantle said she plans to display the trophy they won at the school.
Another favourite booth was Northern Ontario Agri-Food Education and Marketing's giant pumpkin contest. Top honours were captured by Steve Smith, who grew a 470-pound pumpkin.
“I love seeing the kids taking photos with (the pumpkins) and excited about them,” he said.
Indeed, families attending the fair seemed to be having a blast.
Jennifer Slavinski, who spoke to Northern Life after checking out the giant pumpkins, was at the event with her daughter, Caitlin, and four of her nieces and nephews. “There's lots of stuff to do,” she said. “It's good for kids.”
Jennifer Collins, who attended the fair with husband Mike and daughters Bailee and Emma, said they'd already listened to some live music and taken in the pie-eating contest, and were planning to head over to get some cotton candy.
“I think it's great,” she said. “It really does bring the community together. It gets us out of the house and it's nice to see all the local vendors too so we can support them.”
