HYMERS, Ont. – Carolyn Dobson and her son Ian wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than the Hymers Fall Fair on Labour Day weekend.
The pair was front-and-centre on Sunday morning, ponies Laci and Kelti in hand, awaiting the crowds to arrive and a chance to show off their livestock.
It’s an important event, Carolyn Dobson said.
“We live in the community and we like to see the community thrive and people come and enjoy the fair,” she said. “It shows off people’s produce and arts and crafts. Some of the local livestock is here. It’s really nice to get out and support it and be part of our community.
“It gives us a chance to show off our ponies too.”
Son Ian said it’s an important part of the rural culture in Hymers, which is celebrating its 107th annual fall fair in 2019.
“It’s been around forever. Everybody comes here at least once. It’s always good to see the local flavour displayed, if you will – the arts, crafts, all the livestock, all the animals,” he said.
“To me it’s always been an important event.”
The two-day event, which opened on Sunday, is a Labour Day weekend tradition in this part of Northwestern Ontario and bills itself a classic country fair where the biggest locally grown pumpkins, can be found and horse and cattle shows take centre stage – not to mention a full slate of entertainment on the main stage, including an open-mic slot on the schedule on both days.
Organizer Lawrence Prystanski said there’s a little something for everything, an event that seems to draw larger and larger crowds each year.
“The reason I think it’s gaining in popularity is more and more the youth want to be self-sustainable, grow our own food, raise our own animals. You know what’s happening with the stuff you’re growing and harvesting,” Prystanski said.
“So it gives you that opportunity to come and see how many farmers and local people, even town people, come out here to enter in everything from jams and jellies to arts and crafts and baking and so forth.”
It’s educational, he added.
“You learn that you can grow your own food and have the knowledge. And if you don’t have the knowledge, and want the knowledge, this is the perfect place to get it,” Prystanski said.
For those who prefer not to drive or don’t have access to their own transportation, a $5 round-trip shuttle runs from several locations on Monday, starting at County Fair Plaza at 11 a.m. Pick-up spot times, available on the fair website, also include the Heritage Building at the CLE, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and the Arthur Street Marketplace.
The buses depart for Thunder Bay at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
Cash-only entry to the fair is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 6 to 12 ($1 with a zucchini or sunflower) and children five and younger are free.
The fair is open until 6 p.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
