HYMERS - Whether it’s your first time or your 40th time, the Hymer’s Fall Fair always seem to leave a lasting impression.
On Sunday, the 104th Hymer’s Fall Fair saw thousands of people travelling back to rural roots where animals, vegetables, music, arts and crafts, and food were all in the offering.
“We try to keep it truly agricultural, because that’s what we are about,” explained Kathleen Woodbeck, president of the Hymer’s Fair Board. “There is something here for everybody. If you’re not a horse enthusiast, there’s something else. There’s music, playgrounds, pole scrubbings, sports programs, arts and crafts, and food.”
One of the more popular attractions is the recently added Hunter Jumping Show. Woodbeck explained that several horse jumping events are held throughout the summer and concludes with the final show on Sunday.
“This is one of most popular new shows that we put on,” she said. “We run three shows in the summer and this is culmination, the high point of it all. It’s a little different and people like horses. Whether they are just spectators or they own them, they are a real attraction.”
Iris and Waino Aho have been coming to the Hymer’s Fall Fair for more than 40 years.
“It just keeps getting better every year,” Iris said. “And this is what we are anticipating this year, too.”
Other than the Shriner train touring the grounds, Waino said that the fair has mostly been the same for the last 40 years.
“We just love the atmosphere,” he said. “Today in particular. It’s just a beautiful day.”
The fair has been a family affair for the Aho’s and Iris recalled that 33 years ago their daughter won a championship cow bell for the best cow calling. And events like cow calling are at the heart of what the Hymer’s Fair is all about.
It’s about getting back to rural roots,” Waino said. “There’s nothing really raw raw raw about it, it’s just a basic, good country fair.”
Keri Pidgen and her 2-year-old daughter, Annik, were out to the fair for the very first time on Sunday and Keri said she was surprised by just how many people come out for the festivities.
“It’s nice to get people out and in a rural setting and community building,” Keri said. “But it also gives people a better idea about where our food is coming from and the importance of our heritage in a lot of ways.”
While Keri still has quite a few years to go before she can say she has been coming to the fair for more than 40 years, even though she has only been there once, she plans on coming again.
“If I am in Thunder Bay, I will continue to come back,” she said.
And this may be a new tradition for Keri and her family. As Woodbeck explained, tradition has become a big part of the fair and for the many families who continue to come year after year.
“Many people came as babies with their parents and it’s a tradition that has stayed with the family,” she said. “And there are special things about the fair for different people. There are different aspects that bring the person here, but then they get the whole experience.”
The fair continues on Monday. While the forecast is calling for rain, Woodbeck said that in her experience, the weather has never deterred people before.
“I discovered that in the last few years that people still come if it rains,” she said. “They seek shelter and then come right back out and keep doing what they do at the fair.”
For more information visit the Hymer’s Fall Fair website.
