Country fair season opens with sunshine on Picton’s event

By Olivia Timm
Under bright, sunshine filled skies, an estimated 7,000 people from far and wide attended the 186th annual Picton Fair on the weekend.

As the warm weather made way for the agricultural event, droves of vehicles lined Macsteven Drive (avoiding construction on Picton Main) and folks eagerly made their way into the Picton Fairgrounds Sept. 8 through 10. Volunteers from Kinsmen and Kinette clubs reported full parking capacity around noon Saturday.

The midway was bustling with families and friends, lining up for fan favourite rides like the Scrambler and Alien Abduction. Many lined up for the ever-popular Ellis taffy, or a bright red candy apple, while others greeted the animals in old McDonald’s barn.

Inside the Curling Club building, pups were lining up to audition at the Pet Valu Dog Show.

For Best Group Costume, Catherine Chau with two pups dressed up as a hot dog and popcorn took home a first-place ribbon.

Teresa and her pup won first place for best costume

The Crystal Palace saw the return of the annual Picton Home Hardware Baby Show, along with much entertainment, including the Shania Twain Experience, and Peter Rae and The Reasons.

Flowers, vegetable, arts, crafts and quilt displays were enjoyed in the arena.

The 14th annual celebrity bake-off and auction Saturday morning at an early count raised $6,400 for the Prince Edward Memorial Hospital Foundation – $1,050 from the winning key lime pie.

Highlights also included the 4-H beef cattle and sheep and goat shows, arm wrestling competition, antique tractors, beef cattle and mini horse shows. The grandstands were packed Sunday as spectators cheered for the demolition derby.

The Milford’s fair  is set for this weekend, followed next by the country event at Ameliasburgh.