An early summer tradition returns to Chatham this weekend.
The Kinsmen Fair opens at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 29 at 80 Tweedsmuir Avenue, next to Memorial Arena, and runs until Sunday, June 1.
The Kinsmen are once again working with World's Finest Shows for the rides.
"Roughly 10 (rides), maybe 13," said fair chair Ryan Robinson. "You can buy the advance ride pass, and that gives you one-day ride all day long or you can buy individual ride tickets."
There will be more than just rides, though. The Kinsmen will also have a booth with an Elmer the Safety Elephant colouring contest and they will be raffling off three kids' bicycles.
"There's also a vendor show happening all weekend," said fair co-chair Brodie Pepper. "TJ Stables petting zoo is Sunday only, and Birds of Prey is Saturday, May 31. So it's like three shows, and you get different Birds of Prey."
The petting zoo on Sunday is from Noon until 2 p.m., while the Canadian Raptor Conservancy show is on Saturday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Admission to the fair is free and all of the money raised from the event will stay in Chatham-Kent.
"We sponsor the school breakfast program, cystic fibrosis, kids playing sports. All the local stuff, all the money stays local," said Robinson.
Advance ride passes are on sale until Wednesday, May 28. They can be purchased in-person at The Game Master's Emporium, at Giant Tiger in Chatham, or online at www.chathamkinsmen.ca.