The unofficial end of summer will be marked by an Essex County staple going on this weekend.
The 164th edition of the Harrow Fair is taking place through the long weekend at the Harrow Fairgrounds. The fair, which carries the theme this year of "Christmas At The Fair", is one of the so-called "big three" agricultural fairs that take place each summer in Essex County, along with the Comber Fair and the Leamington Fair.
The fair began Thursday with the judging of all the hall exhibits and the opening of the Carter Shows midway. A pie auction and a concert by Canadian country artist Ryan Langdon were also on the schedule.
Friday's scheduled fair highlights include a teddy bear parade, the pony show, and the 4-H swine, beef, poultry and sheep auction. Contests on Friday include the roller pigeon and mom-or-dad calling competitions, with entertainment set to come from comic juggler Craig Douglas and Canadian country artist Shawn Austin.
Saturday brings the traditional parade on a new route. It starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Harrow Research and Development Centre, then heads down King St. to Victoria St., then to Maple St. and right on McAffee to the fairgrounds. Other highlights include the tractor pull and rooster-crowing contest, lawn tractor races, Bossy Bingo, and a performance by the Hunter Brothers.
The fair concludes on Sunday with a morning church service, a light horse show, the Border City Barkers, a pedal tractor pull, and the Timmy Mac Band.
The fair buildings open at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, with the midway rides opening at 1 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Tickets are $8 per person with kids 12 and under admitted free. Weekend passes are also available.
The official Harrow Fair website has complete information on the events.