Beloved Labour Day Weekend Tradition Runs August 29th Through September 2nd.
Granger Smith – Submitted Photo
By: Yvonne Van De Wiele-Cooper
www.roundtablepr.com
Country stars, monster trucks, daily demolition derbies and a Timbit eating contest are just part of the 161st Paris Fair running August 29th through September 2nd.
It’s the type of affordable family fun that keeps the crowds coming back year after year and the numbers say it all. Last year some 50-thousand people took in the Fair, with at least 30 percent travelling from beyond 40 kilometers away.
And Fair manager Cheryl Muir says they are “very proud” of again being designated one of the top 100 festivals by Festivals and Events Ontario. They received the designation years back and again for both 2018 and 2019. It’s no wonder, with a headliner like country singer Granger Smith, horse shows, crafts, exhibits and of course the midway.
Paris Fair Midway – Photo by: Jason Freeze
After an absence of several years, the Monster trucks made a return last year. “It was an overwhelming success on the Thursday night so we’re bringing them back again and we’re pretty excited about that,” said Muir. A pit party takes place at 6 p.m. in advance of the show, where fans can pose for photos with the drivers and the gigantic wheeled trucks.
Meantime, not all the fairs have demolition derby’s anymore but Muir says “we’re well known for it” so it’s offered three times over the Fair weekend.
Little Rays Reptile Zoo – Submitted Photo
For the last 10 years, Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo has been part of the fun and this time, they’re back with a “venom” display. Little Rays does four shows daily “just to educate the crowd and give them a closer look at the different reptiles,” says Muir.
On the Monday, they’ll have the classic six horse hitch and heavy horse shows, both crowd favourites. Horses are a big part of the Paris Fair including a cutting horse show, an English horse and pony show and barrel racing, “which is always exciting to watch,” says Muir. Although many of the horse owners are from Brant County, barrel racers and cutting horse competitors come from as far away as Pennsylvania and New York State year after year.
Something new for crafters is the “Masters of their Craft” exhibit at the curling club, featuring daily active demonstrations. Home Depot will be there to guide children’s building projects and a Timbit eating contest adds to the fun in the Exhibition Hall on Labour Day Monday.
Paris Fair Produce – Photo by: Jason Freeze
Once you come through the gate and pay your fee, everything is included with the exception of the midway and food, but all of the exhibits and grandstand shows are included. In fact, there are a total of “100 free things” that come with the price of admission. At $15 for adults, $8 for kids 11 to 15, $5 for juniors age six to ten and free admission for youngsters under five, it’s a hard deal to beat.
Paris Fair At Night – Photo by: Jason Freeze
Sunday is Family Day when a family pass for two adults and two children goes for $35. That also happens to be the day of the big grandstand show featuring Granger Smith.
Parking is free and two covered wagons in the parking lot dubbed “people movers” will be bringing folks from the lot to the admission booth. Tickets are available online in advance through Ticketscene.ca/parisfair and until August 14th, one day adult passes are $2 off.
Muir credits a team of six employees and 500 volunteers to keep things running like clockwork. Volunteers do everything from clean washrooms to setting up fencing, look after safety and feed the folks working the fair. “We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
The 161st Paris Fair runs Thursday, August 29th through the September 2nd Labour Day Monday.
For more info, check out, www.parisfairgrounds.com.
