It feels strange to be in a quieter time now, after spending from July 1 to 8 pretty much at the Weyburn fair grounds.
I did also spend time out at Nickle Lake Regional Park on Canada Day, and at Gifted on Saturday in Jubilee Park – but during the 4-H show, and the Weyburn Fair, I was down at the exhibition grounds taking in everything I could.
The 4-H show, as always, ran smoothly with a lot of farm kids from throughout the southeast showing us the fruits of their hard work over the winter and spring.
The parade was a good long one this year, with 75 float entries. They had to adjust the starting point due to the work on the new hospital grounds, but there were lots of people on all the floats, and the weather was perfect.
The Weyburn Fair was a good time again, being held over three days instead of four, and there was a lot to take in.
I admit I was a bit skeptical with a shortened Fair time, but there was no lack of activities and fun, whether it was to hit the midway and the rides, see the rodeo action and grandstand shows, and side events like the Beavers game, the DQ Kids Rodeo and barrel racing, to name just a few.
The finale was cool, with the smashing of a camper by Tyler Metheral’s car (until the drive shaft broke off the car). Some people thought it was lame, but to me it evoked memories of stunts like “Super Dave Osborne” used to do, for those of a certain age level.
The only things I think were lacking was, one, the lack of chuckwagons and chariot races, which always brought excitement and crowds to the grandstands, and the lack of a proper demo derby.
If anyone is seeking suggestions for the Fair for the future, one is, “Bring back the demo derby”, and they could still smash up a camper or two afterward.
And two, bring back the chariot races or chucks. The track seems a little bare without that excitement and action.
Meantime, the “Biggest Little Fair in Saskatchewan” is next up at Creelman on Saturday, and I can promise you the best in small-town fair fun. The pig scramble is always fun, with lots of food and displays to take in.
