'Renewed sense of enthusiasm'

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The 2019 Norfolk County Fair was “right on par” with some of the biggest years to date.

While the final numbers aren’t yet known, fair general manager George Araujo said he was pleased with this year’s turn out especially compared to six days of rain during the 2018 fair.

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One calculation they do know is the number of entries placed in the art and home craft competitions. That number came in at 15,000, which is more entries than there are people in Simcoe.

Araujo was pleased with the excitement shown on Young Canada Day by all of the students in the grandstands.

The threat of a school strike loomed the week prior to the fair with rumours of opening day traditions being put on hold.

“Young Canada Day came to life with a renewed sense of enthusiasm,” said Araujo. “There was a possibility that things were going to change and the students realized that. They really brought all of their passion back onto the track and in the grandstands.”

In early September the horse show area within the track got a face-lift ahead of this year’s fair.

“It was exceptionally well used. The ultimate cowboy challenge decided to move to one of the new pens, the western show was there, and the barrel racers,” said Araujo.

There are some tweaks to this area that officials want to complete before next year’s fair, but they were pleased with the first test of the newly renovated space.

Concerts at the fair were well received with High Valley selling out the track level tickets and Gord Bamford packing the grandstands with fans. Other events such as the monster trucks and demolition derby also saw packed stands.

“I do want to highlight how amazing the Warriors’ Day Parade was,” said Araujo. “I’ve had people stopping me to tell me how moving that ceremony was.”

The parade to honour veterans took place just before the demolition derby on Monday, with around 10,000 fans looking on.

One of the newest events at the fair was the headphone party, where hundreds of people gathered in the Rec Centre to dance in silence with headphones on, each listening to their own music.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll be bringing that back,” said the GM. “That was astounding.”

“I want to thank Norfolk County and all of south-western Ontario for coming and visiting our fair,” said Araujo. “Also, of course, our volunteers and staff, without which this doesn’t happen.”

astaylor@postmedia.com