One of the so-called "big three" agricultural fairs in Windsor-Essex closes out summer this weekend.
The Harrow Fairgrounds is the scene for the 165th edition of the Harrow Fair, which ranks alongside the Comber Fair and Leamington Fair as summer staples in Windsor-Essex's thriving agricultural community. All three events predate Canada's Confederation.
The fair began Thursday with the judging of all the hall exhibits and the opening of the midway, supplied this year by All Canadian Entertainment (ACE). A pie auction and an appearance by Canadian Elvis impersonator James Gibb were also scheduled.
Highlights on the Friday schedule include the mom-and-dad calling contest, a roller pigeon contest and a 4-H swine, beef, poultry and sheep auction. The midway opens at 1 p.m. Canadian singer-songwriter Kelly Prescott, who recently completed a U.S. tour with Matchbox Twenty's Kyle Cook, takes the main stage at 8 p.m.
The centrepiece of Saturday's action is, of course, the Harrow Fair Parade. It steps off at 11:30 a.m. at the Harrow Research and Development Centre, heads west on King Street, then left on Victoria Street and left on Maple Street, before going right at McAffee Street to the fairgrounds. Following the parade is the annual tractor pull in the horse ring, as well as the rooster-crowing contest for both birds and humans. The day's highlights also include lawn tractor races, Bossy Bingo, and country star Craig Campbell on the main stage.
The fair concludes on Sunday with a morning church service, a light horse show, the Border City Barkers, a pedal tractor pull, and a 1 p.m. performance by Leave Those Kids Alone, a classic rock band featuring a quartet aged eight to 15.
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 $10 per person with kids 12 and under admitted free. Weekend passes, which offer unlimited access to the fair all weekend for $25 apiece, are also available.
The official Harrow Fair website has complete information on the events.