We are well into fall fair season.
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Many of them have already been held, the biggest of them all is underway this week, the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo. Make no mistake it's a fall fair and a great one.
A couple of the storied ones, the must hits, like Simcoe are still to come.
Fall fairs have a history that dates back hundreds of years, organized as they were as a way of celebrating and improving the fruits of the seasons and the skills it takes to grow them.
The competitions for best wheat, corn and barley samples as well as those for best pies and jams were started with that in mind. Providing reasons to strive to do better.
The showcasing of animals and grooming and selection of the best of the herd to represent your farm also began as a reason to improve.
In fact they still are to this day.
Much of that still plays out at various levels especially 4-H.
If you happen to be in Highgate on Saturday you might consider the Highgate Fair. Size-wise it is the opposite of the IPM but community minded and enthusiasm levels take a back seat to no one.
It is largely a showcase of the 4-H achievements of the past year with many 4-H clubs putting their work and animals on display.
The gates open at 8:30. The display by the young people is at 9:30 but there are animals to see pretty much all day.
The parade, and it's always a big one forms up shortly after 11, and begins wending it's way through pretty much every part of the small community at noon.
There is music, the local fire-fighters hold demonstrations, and with all that, it's still pretty relaxing.
It is a family event, they don't have roller coasters, flashing lights and alcohol.
So drop in.
If you find yourself not near Highgate on the weekend don't despair . There are still other fairs to attend, other animal showcases, either 4-H or not, just check for your local fall fair. At this point you may have to travel a bit, but they are out there, and they are worth finding.
