Sun shines once again on the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair

Glorious sunshine was the order of the day, as it has been for more than 150 years, for the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair on the weekend.

"Welcome to the 152nd fall fair," said MC Grant Collins, Saturday, following the parade. "I believe this is almost the 152nd time we've had sunshine on the last Saturday of September for the fair."

Gary and Sharon Courtney officially opened the fair, and awards were presented to Sandy Pollock, Gordon Patterson award for most points in three field crops; Pat Jarvis, Judy Thompson award for most points in homecraft division; Allison Pope, most points in junior division; and David Lowry, Pine River Cheese award for milk quality.

The Ripley Agricultural Society service diploma was presented to Dr. Ken Bridge who is an active volunteer in the community. Bridge has worked hard in the 4-H program, starting out as a junior leader in 1976 and eventually becoming a leader of various clubs, particularly the veterinarian club.

Bridge thanked the agricultural society for this award and said the Ripley area is a wonderful place to live and work, and he enjoys sharing his knowledge with the young people in the 4-H program.

During the opening ceremony, Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan thanked the agricultural society's weather committee which came through once more with beautiful, sunny weather for the fair. "I don't know how you do it," he joked. "Welcome to the fair, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of the agricultural society and all the volunteers who make this happen."

Incumbent Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb (Conservative), was joined by his fellow federal election candidates, Liberal Allan Thompson, NDP Gerard Creces and Green Party Jutta Splettstoesser, in addressing the crowd.

The day's events included 4-H animal shows and competitions, the light horse show, poultry show, petting zoo and free pony rides. There was entertainment by The Country Classics, face-painting and balloon animals by Snippity the Clown and Pinky, the heavy horse show, the Kinetic Knights Robotics Team 781 demonstration, and the Huron County Chuckers demonstration of knife- and axe-throwing.



The Country Classics perform at the Ripley Fair; video by David Dadson

Ventriloquist Yvette Locke and her puppets entertained children and adults, and there were the car and truck show, antique tractor display, log-sawing and nail-driving contests, T-Bone market cattle show and sale, and Jamie's Reptiles Show.



Ventriloquist Yvette Locke and her Puppets entertain at the Ripley Fair; video by David Dadson

The day ended with the fall fair dance to "Kerosene Creek."