Ripley to be draped in "Country Pride, County Wide" for 154th fall fair this weekend

Ripley will be draped in "Country Pride, County Wide," this weekend (Sept. 29-30) for the 154th annual Ripley-Huron Fall Fair.

The event begins Thursday night, Sept. 28, with a pre-teen dance, from 7-9 p.m., to Power Traxs.

Friday, Sept. 29, from 5-10 p.m., the focus is "Canada Celebrates Under the Lights" on the fairgrounds, with the Super Frog contest, pedal tractor pull, Garden Tractor Pull, Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue, Youngblut Timber Art, PicaBooth, bale-rolling, log-sawing and nail-driving.

The Ambassador Competition runs Friday night at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, with two contestants vying for the title. There will also be an auction of the top prize-winning pies and cakes.

AMBASSADOR CONTESTANTS

ALEXA COLLINS-GALLANT

Alexa is the daughter of Lisa and Kyle Gallant and a Grade 12 student at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham. Once she graduates from high school, she wants to continue her education in a pre-health program and has plans to obtain a diploma as a paramedic. Alexa enjoys horseback-riding and drawing when she can find time outside of work and school. For many years, she also participated in 4-H clubs. She volunteers her time with little-league soccer and at local events. She is sponsored by Allure Beauty and Medi Spa.

JENNELLE SMELTZER

 

Jennelle is the daughter of Dan and Darlene Smeltzer and a Grade 12 student at Kincardine District Secondary School. She wants to attend Laurentian University, with plans to obtain a degree in sport and physical education with concurrent education. At school, she hopes to play hockey for the women’s university team. Jennelle plays AA hockey, enjoys running and participating in triathlons, and is involved in the Lucknow Crop 4-H club. She volunteers her time with hockey schools and at Pine River United Church. She is sponsored by Smeltzer’s Garden Centre.

The main attraction Saturday, Sept. 30, is the Mammoth Parade which begins at 11:30 a.m., marching through downtown Ripley to the fairgrounds. New this year, you can pre-register your parade entry, on-line, before Wednesday, Sept. 27, at www.ripleyfair.ca. Late registration begins at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, at the United Church.

The parade features bands, commercial and organizational floats, antique tractors and vehicles, children's bikes and scooters, clowns, and more. For more information and to pre-register, contact Julie Thompson at jkthompson@hurontel.on.ca or 519-395-4048 or visit www.ripleyfair.ca.

Carter Shows is again providing the midway and will be at the fair Friday from 5-9 p.m., and all day Saturday. Advance sale of the midway tickets, is available at Pollock Electric in Ripley until Sept. 27. Advance tickets are $25 each ($30 at the midway booth). This is for a one-day pass for the rides. For more information, check the website at: www.cartershows.ca
 

Saturday, the fair runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and features the light and heavy horse competition, 4-H shows – beef, dairy and sheep, poultry show, T-Bone Show and Sale, Bervie Zoological Park, Mega Machines, a car and truck show, antique tractor show, Black Rock Climbers, Clarol the Clown and Snippity the Clown, and entertainment by Pat Lucknow, and Lorusso School of Dance.

The fair ends Saturday night, with a dance to "Highway 21," from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. (age of majority). Tickets are $10 each in advance, or $15 each at the door.

For more information, event times, tickets or registration forms, contact the Ripley Agricultural Society at 519-955-7705 or E-mail: ripleyfair@hurontel.on.ca or check the website at: www.ripleyfair.ca.

Appreciation to Community Foundation Grey-Bruce and Bruce Power 150, as well as many other sponsors, for supporting the events at this year's fair - where there's lots of fun for everyone!