Milford fall fair crowds bask in glorious summer heat

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
Every Milford fair day, Bruce Dowdell, long-standing Milford fall fair board member and past president, ensures a fine forecast and every year, it seems he comes through.

The long-standing trend is that it never rains on the Milford Fair  – though it may have rained three times in the last 75 years – and  Saturday was no exception as a clear blue sky, summer heat and brilliant sunshine shone down on a full house at the fairgrounds.

Crowds were as enormous as the lists of things to see and do. The theme for this year’s old-fashioned country fair many families eagerly wait for each September was “giving back”.

The second in the trifecta of County fall fairs, the Milford event began with the usual parade of floats, vehicles and people (animals too), led by the marching band of CFB Trenton’s 8 Wing Pipes and Drums.

Some parade participants came in antique-vintage vehicles, some decorated in a pumpkin fall theme, and, of course, included the Cherry Valley Frasers and their trusted antiquated vehicle which never seems to miss the opportunity to participate in a County parade. Some say it’s not a parade unless the Frasers are present.

Once the parade worked its way up the hill into the fairgrounds, it was followed by opening ceremonies with South Marysburgh councillor (and Milford fall fair board president) John Hirsch and County mayor Steve Ferguson.

Ferguson spoke to the fair committee and the volunteers who put the fair together every year.

“It never fails to disappoint; it hasn’t disappointed since it began in 1946,” he said. “It’s a terrific day today, it’s a wonderful fair, and thank you all so much for coming”.

The Murray Clapp Memorial Citizenship Awards are presented every year, and this year’s recipients were Jim Plomer, Jane Wollenberg and Brian Hineman.

Jennifer Clapp, whose father-in-law is Murray Clapp, travelled from Courtice to attend the award ceremony, the first of which was in 1988, and is one she says she is happy to continue supporting.

The day was packed with activities and events, games and more for the whole family, where the younger kids enjoyed face painting, pumpkin painting, fishing, woodworking projects and crafts, along with games and races.

Numerous food trucks and a variety of stalls, booths and vendors were scattered throughout the grounds. The 851 Prince Edward Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron was among them and brought a demonstration aircraft along.

People were invited to test their skills in the log sawing and nail driving contests, as well as a weight throw contest.

The fair also went to the dogs with its annual dog show, and welcomed a dance and acrobatics show (not by dogs), as well as live musical entertainment through the day.

Inside the shed was a vast array of judged vegetables and fruit, flowers, baking and arts and crafts, all contributed by South Marysburgh residents, which included youth exhibit categories too.

A non-profit event, the Milford fall fair is organized solely by local volunteers, where excess revenue is returned to the local community, a tradition that has been on-going since 1946.

The trifecta County fall fair season concludes Saturday Sept. 21 with the Ameliasburgh fall fair.